World Wetlands Day: President Mahama urged to sign Executive Instrument to protect wetlands
Source: Ghenvironment.com - February 2, 2025
File photo (Densu Delta Ramsar Site)
The Executive Instrument according to the group should also prohibit entry for purposes inconsistent with protecting ecological sites within the first six months of his administration.
In a statement to mark World Wetlands Day on February 2, 2025, the group noted that urgent action is needed in Ghana, where wetlands are under siege.
Below is the full statement by the Eco-Conscious Citizens signed by its Founder Awula Serwah
Mark World Wetlands Day 2025 By Highlighting Benefits of Wetlands And Enforcing Laws
World Wetlands Day, which started in 1971, is marked yearly on the 2nd of February, and reaffirms the need to protect wetlands.
Wetlands are water ecosystems containing plant life and other organisms that bring ecological health to water bodies and environments as a whole.
Mangroves and their wetlands are critical ecosystems that support the planet and humanity, providing breeding grounds for fish and carbon storage, as well as protection against flooding, as they serve as a reservoir that accumulates and channels excess water into the sea.
Urgent action is needed in Ghana, where our wetlands are under siege.
La Dadekotopon MP Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah recently reiterated the need to protect the Kpeshie Lagoon. Encroachment and unauthorised structures on the lagoon are in addition to destroying aquatic life, contributing to perennial flooding.
Eco-Conscious Citizens in its Friends Of The Environment Manifesto demanded that all illegal structures be removed from wetlands and services, such as water and electricity, should not be taken to illegal structures on wetlands.
The organisation urged the President to pass an Executive Instrument protecting wetlands and other ecological sites, and prohibiting entry for purposes inconsistent with protecting ecological sites within the first six months of his administration.
The theme for 2025 is: “Protecting Wetlands For Our Common Future”, which underscores the need to urgently implement measures to protect these natural habitats for the welfare of all people, so that future generations can continue to benefit from all that wetlands provide.
Ghana's Wetlands include Keta Lagoon Complex, Songhor Ramsar Site, Sakumo Ramsar Site, Densu Delta Ramsar Site, Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Site, and the Kpeshie Lagoon.
ENDS
Awula Serwah
Eco-Conscious Citizens founder/Coordinator
EcoConsciousCitizens@gmail.com
020 1811 702
https://Linktr.ee/EcoConsciousCitizens
Gideon Dickson Agbanyo
In reference to the article urging the President, John Dramani Mahama to sign the Executive Instrument to protect Wetlands should be a good course for him and the citizenry.
The situation has been that nobody has paid (any) attention to how to keep our lands wet, perhaps we have not been able to project and prioritize the importance of keeping our lands wet.
In effect, the President’s kowtowing to this instrument will suggest that everybody owes it a responsibility to keep our lands wet. This, undoubtedly, will serve us a great benefit, and the future generations.
February 2, 2025
Gideon Dickson Agbanyo
In reference to the article urging the President, John Dramani Mahama to sign the Executive Instrument to protect Wetlands should be a good course for him and the citizenry.
The situation has been that nobody has paid (any) attention to how to keep our lands wet, perhaps we have not been able to project and prioritize the importance of keeping our lands wet.
In effect, the President’s kowtowing to this instrument will suggest that everybody owes it a responsibility to keep our lands wet. This, undoubtedly, will serve us a great benefit, and the future generations.
February 2, 2025
Citizen not Spectator
It will be great if President Mahama was bold enough to pass an Executive Instrument protecting wetlands and other ecological sites.
Parliament should also prioritise revoking LI 2462 and EI 144.
February 4, 2025
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