Government Declares Amanzule Wetlands A Ramsar Site, Bans Mining Activities – Armah Kofi Buah.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Armah Kofi Buah, has announced that the Amanzule Wetlands in the Western Region have officially been declared a Ramsar Site, providing the internationally recognized wetland with enhanced protection against environmental degradation and illegal exploitation.

Speaking at the World Ocean Day celebration held at Atuabo in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, Hon. Buah stressed the need for collective action to protect the country’s coastal and marine ecosystems from growing environmental threats.

According to him, safeguarding the oceans and wetlands is a shared responsibility that requires the active participation of government institutions, development partners, private sector organizations, students, and local communities.

The Minister urged stakeholders to use this year’s World Ocean Day celebration as an opportunity to renew their commitment to protecting the Amanzule Wetlands and other coastal ecosystems across Ghana.

He emphasized that economic development must not come at the expense of environmental sustainability and reiterated government’s commitment to preserving ecologically sensitive areas.

Hon. Buah further announced that he had directed the Minerals Commission and all relevant regulatory agencies to revise their operational maps and ensure that the Amanzule Wetlands are designated as a protected zone where mining activities will not be permitted.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, also underscored the importance of protecting wetlands and marine ecosystems.

She explained that the World Ocean Day celebration was held in the Western Region because of the strategic importance of the Amanzule Wetlands to Ghana’s environmental conservation efforts.

According to her, the EPA is currently working towards securing Ramsar Site status for the Amanzule Wetlands and is encouraged by the government’s commitment to protecting the area from activities that threaten its ecological integrity.

The Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands, Dr. Musonda Mumba, commended Ghana for highlighting the connection between wetlands and oceans during this year’s World Ocean Day celebration.

She emphasized that activities on land often have far-reaching consequences for marine ecosystems and warned that environmental challenges such as illegal mining, deforestation, and climate change continue to threaten both wetlands and oceans.

Dr. Mumba praised the commitment shown by government officials, traditional authorities, local communities, and young people in protecting the environment.

Story by Nana Fynn@W/R.