07 February 2025
The Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), under the College of Basic and Applied Sciences at the University of Ghana (UG), commemorated World Wetlands Day 2025 with a special event on February 4, 2025, at the Auditorium of the International House, University of Ghana. The celebration featured distinguished lectures by Prof. Chris Gordon, founding director of IESS, and Dr. Godfred Bempah, Regional Director of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Ghana, and Mr. Ignatius Williams, a PhD Candidate at IESS, who presented his research on the state of encroachment on the Sakumo Lagoon Wetland System. Dr. Ezekiel Acquaah, a research fellow at the IESS moderated the event.
Relevance of the Celebration
Observed annually on February 2, the World Wetlands Day raises awareness about the critical role of wetlands in biodiversity conservation, water quality, flood prevention, and climate regulation. The 2025 global theme, “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”, was adapted by IESS to focus on “Managing Our Wetlands for Sustainable Provision of Ecosystem Services”.
Opening Address
The event commenced with a welcome speech by Prof. Benedicta Fosu-Mensah, the Acting Director of the Institute. She emphasised the urgent need to protect Ghana’s wetlands, highlighting their environmental and socio-economic importance.
Prof. Benedicta Fosu-Mensah (Ag. Director of IESS)
Keynote Presentations
Prof. Chris Gordon, an expert in wetlands and environmental sustainability, provided insights into the role of wetlands in ecosystem services, covering provisioning (food, water, raw materials), regulating (flood control, climate regulation), supporting (soil formation, nutrient cycling), and cultural (tourism, heritage, recreation) services. He linked wetlands to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and stressed the critical threats they face in Ghana, including encroachment & habitat loss due to urban expansion, climate change & coastal flooding, impacting wetland sustainability, excessive economic activities overshadowing environmental conservation. Prof. Gordon warned that without urgent intervention, Ghana may lose a significant portion of its wetlands by 2057, affecting biodiversity and national sustainability.
Prof. Chris Gordon
Dr. Godfred Bempah outlined wetland conservation efforts by the Forestry Commission including protection of Ramsar sites, and enforcement of wildlife conservation laws, legal action against poachers, including imprisonment for sea turtle poaching, and the challenges in wetland protection, particularly with regards to land encroachment. Dr. Bempah noted that most wetland areas in Ghana are privately or family-owned, limiting government control. Despite existing laws prohibiting encroachment, weak law enforcement has allowed continued destruction of wetlands. He called for stronger conservation policies and stricter enforcement.
Dr. Godfred Bempah
Mr. Ignatius Williams highlighted that severe encroachment from activities such as unregulated land development and others are reducing wetland area, degrading water quality, threatening ecosystem health and impacting wetland biodiversity. His findings reinforced concerns raised by the previous speakers, showing clear evidence of rapid wetland loss.
Mr. Ignatius Williams
Expert Contributions & Discussions
Several senior research fellows of IESS contributed to the discussions, Dr. Samuel Koranteng emphasised the benefits derived from mangrove wood-processed fish and the need for further studies into the chemical composition and potential implications for consumption. Prof. Abraham Anang inquired about successful global wetland management strategies. In response, Prof. Gordon noted that Malaysia’s has a “30-year cycle mangrove” management system, where mangroves are sustainably harvested and replanted, ensuring long-term wetland conservation.
In his closing remarks Prof. Daniel Nukpezah thanked all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions. He reiterated the importance of wetlands in ecological balance and sustainable development, urging continued efforts in wetland research, conservation, and policy enforcement.
Click here to view the photo gallery of the event.
Group Photo of Participants