The role of laws and policies influencing anthropogenic activities on wetlands: A study of the Iture-Abakam wetland in Cape Coast

Abstract

Until the Ramsar Convention of 1971, wetlands were virtually considered as "wastelands". The Iture-Abakam Wetland which had been reported to be the only single location in Ghana where all five of the mangrove species can be found, is undergoing some form of degradation mostly due to anthropogenic influences. The main aim of the research was to assess how anthropogenic activities are influencing this landform taking into account the role of laws and systems put in place to manage and protect this landform. Arc GIS version 10.5 was used to generate a land cover map from 1991 to 2020 and observe the changes. Interviews were also conducted with key stakeholder such as the personnel from the Wildlife Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Land use and Spatial Planning Department as well as the Chief and Fetish Priest to seek their views on the laws and policies on the Iture-Abakam wetland. Findings from the study revealed the wetland area recorded a decrease of -83.24 % from 1991 to 2020. The built-up area however increased with 78.30 %. Over the same period. Overharvesting of mangroves, dumping of refuse, sand mining and residential development were found to be the main anthropogenic activities that degrade the wetland. Currently, no law exists for the protection and management of the wetland as is the case for most of the non-Ramsar site wetlands in Ghana. The local laws that use to protect the area are not adhered as a result of little regard given to traditional laws and policies today. It is recommended that the various non -Ramsar sites such as the Iture-Abakam wetland should be gazetted and protected by national laws. The traditional authorities should also be empowered by the central government to implement any local law and policies they may formulate to protect wetlands in their locality.