Accra: Residents of Agbledomi in the Anloga District of the Volta Region have commended ActionAid Ghana and its partners for launching a mangrove restoration project in the community. The initiative has been hailed as a timely intervention against the growing threat of coastal erosion and flooding in areas including Shime and Latame.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Jasper Agbanator, the Assembly Member of the area, expressed satisfaction with the initiative and pledged support toward protecting and sustaining the mangrove ecosystem. He emphasized the potential economic benefits for the community, including job opportunities for young residents and improved economic stability.
Mr. Ali Malik Gbene, Quality and Knowledge Management Manager at ActionAid Ghana, explained that the intervention in Agbledomi is part of a broader programme titled "Improved Resilience of Coastal Communities in C´te d'Ivoire and Ghana." This project, implemented in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International and backed by the Adaptation Fund, aims to improve resilience in coastal communities.
The project covers 21 communities, with 11 in Ghana and 10 in C´te d'Ivoire. In Ghana, the focus is on seven communities in the Anloga District, two in Ada West, and one in Ada East, both in the Greater Accra Region. The initiative includes installing early warning systems, implementing nature-based solutions centered on mangrove planting, and conducting civil works like constructing drainage channels.
Mr. Gbene highlighted that the restoration target for Ghana is 410 hectares, with mapping already completed for about 300 hectares within the Anloga District. The project has progressed into its first full phase of mangrove planting, aiming to restore vegetation to support fish breeding and the livelihoods of fishing communities.
The project also includes a livelihood component, introducing farmers living near mangrove areas to improved agricultural technologies. Collaboration with state institutions like the Forestry Commission and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is emphasized to ensure the project's success.
GNA also reported that the project aims to promote environmental sustainability and create economic opportunities for residents. The mangrove restoration is expected to reduce erosion and manage flooding along the marshy coastline in Agbledomi and nearby communities.
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive for Anloga, commended the partners for the employment opportunities the project would create. She stressed the importance of public education and collaboration with non-governmental organizations to identify alternative livelihoods for those dependent on mangrove resources.
Community members have been encouraged to engage in seedling raising and replanting activities to sustain the project, which requires collective ownership and effort from all in Agbledomi and surrounding communities.