Abstract:
The study was a case study framed in a descriptive research design
intended to examine the effects of wetland management on the social,
economic and cultural development of five communities in the Assin North
Municipality in the Central Region. Probability and non-probability sampling
techniques, namely simple random, purposive and quota, were used. Interview
schedule was used on the respondents in the communities, while questionnaire
was used to collect data from the Municipal Assembly, Forestry Commission
and Wildlife Department. The Statistical Product and Service Solutions
(SPSS) (Version16.0) and Microsoft Word softwares were used to facilitate
data analysis. The results were presented in tables and charts
The Abunu, Abusa, periodic rent and long lease systems were the main
forms of land tenure. The land tenure practised in the area was not structured,
but widespread, with a lot of destructive tendencies. This had adversely
affected the services the wetlands provided the people.The effect was such that
sources for income generation, recreation and entertainment and performance
of cultural rituals had reduced drastically and, in some cases, had been wiped
out. The communities continued to derive economic, social and cultural
benefits from the remaining wetlands. The constraints, inhibiting the wise and
efficient use of the wetlands had allowed room for indiscriminate use of the
wetlands without any punishment to offenders.
It is recommended that the government, Municipal Assembly, Wildlife
Department, Forestry Commission and the community should work together to
ensure that the challenges, which threaten wetlands, are removed to ensure
sustainable wetland services.
