Regenerating the Keta Lagoon, Ghana
4.8 million tonnes of carbon
~
12.5 million mangrove trees
~
4.8 million tonnes of carbon ~ 12.5 million mangrove trees ~
The first project of a nationwide program supported by the Ghanaian government under the "Green Shield Initiative" is located on Ghana's eastern coast, in the Anloga district of the Volta region. This project is set within the Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site (KLCRS), an area internationally recognized for its critical role in preserving essential habitats.
The KLCRS is surrounded by various settlements and a floodplain comprising marshlands, scrublands, farmlands, and significant mangrove areas heavily harvested for fuel wood. While some mangrove stands remain, their regrowth does not keep pace with cutting rates. Located on Ghana's eastern coast, the KLCRS faces challenges such as soil hyper-salinization, seawater intrusion, coastal erosion, flooding, deforestation for firewood, fishery depletion, high unemployment, insufficient infrastructure, inflation, and plastic pollution. Once abundant with mangroves, the project area is now significantly degraded.