Forum on Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site held in Winneba

The Government is making efforts to promote eco-tourism development in most of the Muni Pomadze Ramsar Site in Winneba and other protected areas through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

This would help improve the economic and social status of the people living in and around those resources.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Mike Hammah made this known at a days’ forum on the encroachment of the Muni Pomadze Ramsar Site, on Tuesday.

It was attended by officials from the Forestry Services Division, Wetlands Division of the Forestry Commission, Assembly Members, Land Commission, Youth Groups and chiefs.

The Minister stressed the need for the people in Winneba to take advantage of these opportunities to protect the Ramsar site to derive maximum benefits for the present and future generation.

Mr Hammah said the Yenku Forest Reserve, for instance, provides a unique opportunity for the people of Effutu to develop the traditional Aboakyer festival as a big tourist attraction in the country.

The Minister suggested that the Wildlife Division organises similar meetings for other Ramsar sites and protect areas which are facing these challenges of encroachment.

Mr Hammah expressed concern that in spite of the numerous benefits derived from the forest wetlands and protected areas, these resources continue to be under serious threat of degradation.

“Our wetlands, which are very rich in biodiversity and have high potential for ecotourism development, are all now heavily encroached upon and if action is not taken immediately, we are likely to lose their values and functions”.

The Muni-Pomadze, Densu Delta Belt, Sakomonor, Songhor Ramsar Sites and Keta Lagoon Complex are all seriously under threat, he said.

The Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, Nii Ephraim in his welcoming address, said the Muni-Lagoon in Winneba has significant tourism potentials as its also serves as a site for migratory birds and sea turtles.

According to him the Lagoon also serves as reservoir for rain water run-off and a floor control mechanism for Winneba, adding that, Winneba started experiencing flooding when human activity such as salt mining were sited close to it.

The Very Rev. Eldad Bonney, Presiding Member for Effutu Municipal Assembly, who chaired the programme, stressed the need for the nation to cultivate land management concepts and also form wetland protection associations in all wetland areas.