Dredge the Sakumo lagoon to save Tema

Friends of Ramsyer Sites, an environmental Non Governmental Organisation, has appealed to government to dredge the Sakomo Lagoon to increase it capacity to take most of the flood water in the Tema Metropolis.

Mr Richard Agorkpa, Executive Director, told the Ghana News Agency that the Lagoon is a natural flood water receptacle designed to take, store and release slowly most flood water generated in Tema into the sea.

"Although, it is an obligation on the part of government as a signatory to the International convention on the protection of wetlands to restore the dying lagoon, such a deed will save Tema from destruction."

He lamented that the Lagoon which is also home to migratory birds and rare plant and animal species, has been encroached to the extent that almost half of its designated area is gone.

"Powerful political and economic powers have taken tracts of land for building purposes.But sadly, very soon, when the lagoon reaches its peak such buildings would be swept away."

He called on the Forestry Commission and other relevant authorities to stop the encroachment to save life and property adding,"Those owners of buildings in the wetland are ignorant of the dangers they are courting".

According to Mr Agorpka, a well dredged and protected Sakomo Lagoon can be used for water sports, bird and butterfly watch as well as fish and crop farming which are more ecologically friendly activities.