Ada west: ActionAid Ghana, in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), UN-Habitat, and the University of Twente, has launched a large-scale mangrove restoration project in the Ada West District to strengthen climate resilience and protect vulnerable coastal communities from the impacts of climate change. The initiative, implemented under the Improved Resilience of Coastal Communities in C´te d'Ivoire and Ghana (IRCC) Project with funding from the Adaptation Fund, coincided with the 2026 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, also known as World Mangrove Day.
According to Ghana News Agency, the project will restore 38 hectares of degraded mangrove ecosystems in Wokumagbe and Goi through the planting of about 95,000 mangrove seedlings. This restoration effort contributes to the IRCC Project's broader target of rehabilitating 410 hectares of degraded mangrove ecosystems across Ghana to improve biodiversity, strengthen coastal ecosystems, and enhance climate resilience.
Mr. Justin Bayor, the Head of Programmes, Campaigns and Innovation at ActionAid Ghana, emphasized the importance of mangroves as effective nature-based solutions to climate change. He noted that mangroves protect coastlines, preserve biodiversity, and sustain the livelihoods of coastal communities. Bayor urged beneficiary communities to protect the restored mangroves against indiscriminate cutting, encroachment, and other destructive activities. He highlighted that restoring mangrove ecosystems would strengthen livelihoods, improve food security, and enhance the resilience of communities vulnerable to coastal erosion and flooding.
Mr. Solomon Antumwini, Country Representative of Habitat for Humanity International Africa-Ghana, described the initiative as part of a wider climate adaptation program being implemented in Ghana and C´te d'Ivoire. He appealed to beneficiary communities to safeguard the investment to ensure long-term environmental and socio-economic benefits.
Mr. Ernest Apenkwa, District Director of the Forestry Commission, commended the implementing partners for supporting the restoration of degraded wetlands and pledged the commission's continued technical support. In addition, Nene Siaw Adjorkey VII, the Chief of Wokumagbe, assured the project partners of the traditional authority's commitment to protecting the restored mangrove ecosystem and preventing illegal activities that threaten it.
The IRCC project aims to strengthen climate resilience through ecosystem restoration, climate-resilient infrastructure, and community-led adaptation measures in vulnerable coastal communities in Ghana and C´te d'Ivoire.