Diminishing Lagoon Services in the Era of Urbanization: A Case of Muni-Pomadze Lagoon in Ghana

Abstract

TheMuni lagoon is among the six internationally recognized coastal wetlands(Ramsar site) under the convention on wetlands because of the role it playswhich promoting human livelihood development and the ecosystem. The period of urbanization has resulted in the encroachment ofthe lagoon leading to the decline of its services. This study investigates thediminishing lagoon services as a result of urbanization, using the MuniPomandze lagoon as a case study. The study was largely qualitative and as aresult, twenty respondents were selected mainly by purposive and snowballsamplings. In-depth interviews and personal field observation were adopted tocollect data for the study. The study observed that the lagoon provided numerousservices to the communities in and around the catchment area of the lagoon.These services include fishing, agricultural activities, hunting expeditions,and breeding and nesting site for migratory birds. From the findings, it wasindicated that in recent times, especially due to the emergence ofurbanization, the lagoon has been encroached upon by estate developers andother human activities which have undermined the function of the lagoon. It isrecommended that stakeholders such as the Municipal Assembly, and PlanningDepartment should zone the catchment area of the lagoon to ensure estatedevelopers are not allowed to encroach upon it. This will ensure that humanactivities are minimized in the area.