#HowToLDN Team Ghana Coastal Erosion

The #HowtoLDN Series features the efforts of intersectoral country teams implementing their roadmaps to Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). These teams have been supported by the GEO-LDN Flagship since the Global Dialogue Forum 2023 in South Africa. Today we feature Team Ghana Coastal Erosion.

Protecting Ghana’s Coastline

Meet the intersectoral team in Ghana, dedicated to safeguarding the country’s 550 km coastline, particularly the Keta Lagoon, from coastal erosion and flooding. Their focus is on sustainable marine management, preserving natural ecosystems, and advancing Land Degradation Neutrality.

Using geospatial data and Earth observation tools, the team monitors shoreline recession, tracks communities at risk, and has established a shoreline monitoring system to rehabilitate degraded land, restore ecological functions, and enhance resilience.

This use case highlights the importance of monitoring for early-warning systems and stakeholder mapping to implement inclusive adaptation and mitigation measures.

Background

Of Ghana’s 550 km coastline, 367 km (two-thirds) are already affected by coastal erosion and flooding. Rising tides and erosion threaten the livelihoods of coastal residents, many of whom have been displaced by property damage and flooding. Leveraging geospatial data is critical to halting land degradation and ensuring the sustainable use of coastal resources.

#HowtoLDN Use Case from Ghana Coastal Erosion

To achieve LDN, Team Ghana developed a 2024 roadmap, aligned with the National Development Planning System Act (1994) and the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act (2017).

The roadmap focuses on:

Establishing an Integrated Shoreline Position Monitoring System for the Lower Volta Basin (Keta)
Monitoring shoreline changes, mangrove health, and habitat expansion
Using EO, drone technology, bathymetric surveys, and geospatial analysis to assess risks
Engaging stakeholders through validation workshops, field missions, and focus groups
Mobilising partnerships and stakeholder commitment to preserve Ghana’s coastline

How GEO-LDN supported Team Ghana

The GEO-LDN Flagship facilitated access to geospatial data and platforms such as Digital Earth Africa to strengthen risk analysis and enable an intersectoral approach. The long-term goal is to continue collaboration, integrating new information and technologies into existing coastal management frameworks and policies.

For more information, please see the country’s poster and their presentation from UNCCD COP 16 in Riyadh, held from 2 to 13 December 2024.

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