MENTORING AND COACHING INITIATIVE

FIELD TRIP REPORT

ON

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION MEASURES AT THE KETA MUNICIPALITY (25TH -26TH MAY, 2012)

Suipe Bridge, Keta May 25, 2012

ACRONYMS AAP CBO CCA COP CSO DRR EPA ERUs GES IPCC IT JI NADMO NCCC NDPC NGO PPM REDD UN UNFCCC Africa Adaptation Programme Community Based Management Climate Change Adaptation Conference of Parties Civil Society Organization Disaster Risk Reduction Environmental Protection Agency Emission Reduction Units Ghana Education Service Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Information Technology Joint Implementation National Disaster Management Organisation National Climate Change Committee National Development Planning Commission Non Governmental Organisation Parts Per Million Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation United Nations United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

BACKGROUND Addressing climate change in developing countries requires practical adaptation actions and measures based on a sound scientific, technical and socio-economic basis. The Mentoring and Coaching Initiative was adopted by the AAP as a tool for capacity building through a learning-by-doing approach. As part of its efforts to give mentors and mentees a practical perspective of communitybased climate change adaptation measures, a field trip to the Keta Municipality, one of the pilot sites of the AAP programme was organized for the 25th of May, 2012. This is a summary of the trip. 1. KETA MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY Participants embarked on the bus from the EPA Head of Office and the Accra Mall and arrived at the Keta Municipal Assembly office at 11:00 am. They were met by Mr. M. P. Dagbui (Mentor and Planning Officer of Keta Municipal Assembly) and given a presentation on the Implementation of the AAP Programme in the Keta Municipality (Figure. 1a-b) (see Annex A for presentation; Annex B for list of participants). Mr. Dagbui provided participants an overview of the Keta Municipality and discussed some of the activities that had led to the current environmental concerns - coastal erosion and flooding. These have seriously affected the properties and livelihoods of the communities. Based on this, AAP had provided support to provide permanent access to communities who were stranded during such floods. Following the presentation, there were discussions with participants including: Actions to prevent harvesting of mangroves, which include educating community members on the importance of mangroves and not cutting indiscriminately. Community bye-laws do not protect mangroves but prevent sand winning which is prosecutable by fine Traditional laws and beliefs, which are mainly limited to fishing days depending on the family group. The conservation of turtle nesting sites and their protection along the coast is difficult since some communities consider it a delicacy and turtle oil is used for the healing of wounds traditionally. There is education of the public for conserving turtles, with rewards for individuals who release captured turtles back into the sea. The need for more conscious efforts to stop mangrove harvesting on a commercial basis, and to include opinion leaders and religious bodies in awareness creating programmes.

Figure 1a: Mr. M. P. Dagbuis presentation

Figure 1b: Some participants at the presentation

Following the presentation and discussions, Mr. Dagbui invited the participants to begin the tour of the Keta coastline to visit the following sites: flood control bridge at Kedzi, Keta Sea Defense Project, Fort Prinzenstein, Anyanui mangrove market, the Meet Me There resort, and Suipe Bridge

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Mentoring and Coaching Initiative (MCI) of the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP)

2. SITE VISIT: THE FLOOD CONTROL BRIDGE AT KEDZI The flood control bridge (Figure 2a-d) is located near the mouth of the Keta Lagoon where there is a naturally created sandbar separating the lagoon from the sea. The bridge was built with manually operated concrete passage ways that are opened during flooding periods to allow water from the main lagoon to flow through the gates, break the sand bar and join the sea.

Figure 2a: Participants crossing the bridge - the main body of the Keta lagoon is on the left and the seaward side, right

Figure 2b: The flood control bridge

Figure 2c: The manually operated flood gate at the bridge. The left portion has been raised to allow water to flow through

Figure 2d: A closed floodgate. This is the seaward side of the bridge showing the lagoon separated from sea by a sand bar

3. SITE VISIT: KETA SEA DEFENCE PROJECT Groynes The Keta Sea Defense Project involves the construction of seven groynes that are rocky projections extending from the shoreline into the sea. These groynes are to protect the boulders that have been placed along the 2.7 kilometer stretch of the shore line, in order to protect coastal communities, their livelihoods and infrastructure in the Keta municipality against tidal waves. Some important infrastructure includes the Fort Prinzenstein and the newly constructed two-kilometer road which is the only connecting access road from Atorkor to Dzita. The groynes, 150 meters apart, serve as a buffer preventing the waves from hitting the shore. In addition, sand deposited between the groynes has led to land reclamation that supports fishing activities and provides fishermen access to fish landing sites.

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Mentoring and Coaching Initiative (MCI) of the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP)

The participants visited one of the groynes, which extends about 220m from the shore into the sea (Figures 3a). The sea has gradually deposited sand between the groins (Figure 3b-c), which has reclaimed about 140m of land. It was observed that the sand was being stabilized by planting coconut trees, as well as block making (Figure 3d).

Figure 3a: Along one of the groynes

Figure 3b: Mentors having a discussion. The white arrow shows the distance of the next groyne, and deposited sand in between.

Figure 3c: Reclaimed land providing fishermen with landing sites

Figure 3d: Reclaimed land with planted coconut trees and block-making activities

Fort Prinzenstein One of the important historical infrastructures along the Keta coastline is the Fort Prinzenstein, which was one of the four major Danish structures in Ghana, built in 1784 AD (Figure 3e). The fort exhibits the many years of climatic ravages since its construction (Figure 3f). A few curious participants were brave enough to enter two rooms that had not reached total collapse (Figure 3g). Most tourists prefer to walk around what is left of the fort than a tour within, due to the poor structure of the fort (Figure 3h). According to the tour guide, Mr. Ocloo, about three-quarters of the original fort has been washed away by the sea.

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Mentoring and Coaching Initiative (MCI) of the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP)

Figure 3e: The Fort Prinzenstein at the mercy of the sea

Figure 3f: Rear view of the Fort Prinzenstein facing the sea

Figure 3g: An inscription inside the fort Until the lion has his historian, the hunter will always be a hero

Figure 3h: Parts of the Fort Prinzenstein in ruins

Anyanui Road The Keta Sea Defense Project also protects the major road to Anyanui and Dzita towns against tidal waves (Figures 3i-j). Although there were concerns by participants about the loss of nesting sites for sea turtles, the protection is necessary for the only access road for these communities to the Keta township.

Figure 3i: Major road to Anyanui protected by the boulders

Figure 3j: Protection of coastal communities and road

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Mentoring and Coaching Initiative (MCI) of the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP)

4. SITE VISIT: MANGROVE MARKET The mangrove market at Anyanui shows the extent of harvesting of the red and white mangroves growing around Anyanui, Atorkor and Salo for domestic and commercial use (Figures 4a-c). Communities depend on the sale of mangroves (for construction and smoking of fish) and other mangrove products such as crabs, fish and black snails. Participants took the note of the degradation of the ecosystem (Figure 4d) as well as other activities, such as the transportation of sand to inland communities that have limited resources for construction (Figure 4e). Since the portions of the land and mangroves belong to families, there is active replanting of the mangroves to minimize the complete loss of the forests. Participants were educated on the distinguishing features between red and white mangroves, especially the root system and type of seedling produced. Red mangroves were identified by their prop roots (Figure 4d) and elongated seedlings (Figure 4f), while white mangroves have breathing roots that protrude out of the soil and have rounded seedlings (Figure 4g). Some aquatic life was also observed, such as the Periophthalmus barbarus (mudskipper/ walking fish) and mangrove crab (Figure 4h).

Figure 4a: Harvested mangroves

Figure 4b: Harvested mangroves about to be transported

Figure 4c: Different types and ages of mangroves

Figure 4d: Degradation of mangroves, including litter

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Mentoring and Coaching Initiative (MCI) of the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP)

Figure 4e: Sand is brought in from the shore and transported across to inland communities for building

Figure 4f: White arrow shows germinating seedling of red mangrove

Figure 4g: Seedling of the white mangrove

Figure 4h: Mangrove crab

5.

SITE VISIT: MEET ME THERE TOURIST CENTRE

The participants visited the Meet Me There African Home Eco Lodge that is located between the villages of Dzita and Dzita-Abledomi. It is a popular resort that promotes environmental awareness (Figures 5a-b) and displays a number of wildlife for its guests (Figures 5c-d).

Figure 5a: Awareness creation by the resort-turtle protection

Figure 5b: Awareness creation by the resort center sanitation and education

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Mentoring and Coaching Initiative (MCI) of the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP)

Figure 5c: Participants looking at a crocodile (white arrow)

Figure 5d: Monkey at the resort

6. SITE VISIT: THE SUIPE BRIDGE The Suipe Bridge (Figures 6a-b), which was funded by the Africa Adaptation Programme, is about a 100m foot long. Before its construction, transport on the Nyakpatsi stream was almost impossible during floods. This affected all economic and social activities of communities that were located behind the stream. The construction of the foot bridge across the stream now allows indigenes access in all seasons of the year.

Figure 6a: The Suipe Bridge

Figure 6b: Warning sign to motorbike riders not to ride across the bridge. Sign reads PLEASED MOTORIDERS REMOVED FROM MOTO BEFORE CROSS THE BRIDG PLEASED!!!

7. CLOSING The tour ended at around 6:00 pm and participants prepared to retire to their hotel and return to their various destinations on the following morning. Participants expressed their gratitude to their host for such an interesting informative excursion that made issues associated with climate change impacts, far more realistic.

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Mentoring and Coaching Initiative (MCI) of the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP)

Annex A: Presentation on Implementation of AAP Programme in Keta Municipality

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Annex B: List of Participants Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Love A. Bediako Abena A. Baafi E.T. Atsu Sena Hukpati Aaron Aduna M.P. Dagbui Vivian H.M. Attah Aduse-Poku Minka Gershon T. NADMO - Accra Care International Accra Aowin Suaman District Assembly Western Region EPA/AAP Accra Water Resources Commission -Bolgatanga Keta Municipal Assembly Volta Region Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration Accra Accra Keta Municipal Assembly Volta Region Aowin Suaman District Assembly Western Region Environmental Protection Agency - Accra University of Ghana - Accra University of Ghana - Accra ABANTU - Accra Forestry Commission - Accra Water Resources Commission - Bolgatanga NADMO - Accra Address Email loveasarebediako@yahoo.com abena.baafi@co.care.org etatsu2010@gmail.com sena_hukpati@yahoo.co.uk aaronaduna@yahoo.com mpdagbui@yahoo.com vivanattah@hotmail.com/ vhmattah@yahoo.com a.minka@yahoo.com gershontudoabor@yahoo.com badu.angelina@yahoo.com amoahantwiboasiako@yahoo.co.uk ammensah@ug.edu.gh awoboat@yahoo.co.uk lyzieonnet@yahoo.com hiillyn88@yahoo.com joachimayiiwe@yahoo.com dnaambuyi@yahoo.com Contact number 0244448618 0244664452 0245930065 0244384121 0242074137 0208197401 0244324924/ 0285089569 0205649000 0246302063 0243504307 0243987871 0244481018 0208505638 / 0243853542 0246821166 0244094186 0246737819 0208126675

10 Angelina Badu 11 Mr. Antwi-B Amoah 12 Dr. Adelina Mensah 13 Awo A. B. Manson 14 Elizabeth Amenyaglo 15 Hilma Manan 16 Joachim Abungba 17 N. Dokurugu

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