SFMP PARTNERS HEN MPOANO ON MANGROVE REPLANTING ACTIVITY IN THE ANKOBRA WETLAND ECOSYSTEM

For some time now residents of Ankobra in the Ellembella municipality have resort to the harvesting of mangrove plants along the Ankobra estuary for their household choice.

It is said fishmongers particularly use the mangrove logs to smoke fishes. As some use mangrove to erect buildings.

The situation they say has led to the depletion of over 118 acres of mangrove vegetation along the Ankobra estuary.

This in effect has negatively affected the Ankobra wetland ecosystem.

For instance aquatic animal like crabs, perwringles, catfish and the Nile tilapia which are now going into extinction.

As a form of panacea to the menace, the USAID through it sustainable fisheries management  project  and Hen Mpoano in collaboration with natives of Ankobra  are embarking on a massive mangrove  replanting activity in the Ankobra wetland ecosystem.

Mr  Stephen Kankam a project manager with Hen Mpoano explains NEWS HUB the mangrove replanting exercise  forms part of a co-management policy between SFMP and members of the community.

He said under the policy members of the community have been enlightened on repercussions their activities have on the ecosystem and have received training on mangrove nursing and planting.

In response to question poised on ways to sustain the policy, Mr. Kankan states the district assembly, traditional leaders and the fisheries commission have formulated by- laws to help protect the mangrove and penalize individual who are found breeching the bylaws to nib the practice of nipping in the bud the practice of degrading the mangrove vegetation.