|
The coast of Ghana faces a number of challenges, including coastal erosion and flooding.
These problems degrade the coast, jeopardize ecosystems, threaten human lives and well-being,
limit economic possibilities, and make people more predisposed to natural disasters (World Bank, 2020).
The development of a multi-sector investment action plan is a prerequisite for sustainably developing and
strengthening the resilience of the Ghanaian coastal zone. This plan seeks to determine an integrated and
sustainable system for coastal governance, and to simulate solutions that enhance environmental, and
socio-economic benefits. The plan will lead to benefits such as preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems,
increased economic opportunity and productivity, and improved and protected livelihoods. Accounting for
the vulnerability of the Ghanaian coast to coastal erosion and flooding, a risk level assessment is carried out
for the identification and prioritization of areas at significant risk of erosion and flooding where management
strategies should be implemented. The assessment consists of the examination of the Ghanaian coastline and
the calculation of a Coastal Index from hazard intensities and exposure of the population, land use, economic
activities, ecosystems, transport networks, utilities, and services. Disaster risk management and adaptation measures
are identified to address management aims for the various coastal archetypes that comprise Ghana’s coastline.
The management aims consist of maintaining freshwater sources, ensuring good agricultural and aquaculture practices,
promoting local tourism, maintaining biodiversity, and protecting the population, infrastructure, and key assets.
This paper summarizes the benefits at the macro-scale of investing in coastal risk reduction measures and presents
the co-benefits associated with prioritizing the implementation of ecosystem-based management solutions, such as
ecosystem conservation or restoration, dune, and beach management. An action plan is then developed for the
implementation of steps and long-term options for a set of preferred pathways. The action plan consists of priority
investment measures defined at the conceptual level, with associated costs and timeframes over 10 years.
|
University of Cape Coast