District Level Coastal Management Anankwari River and Flood Plain Area

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2.1 Shama

2.1.1 District Level Coastal Management

The Shama focal area has been in the lead in spatial planning and development of ICM strategies in addressing critical coastal issues. The innovative process in ICM has become a model for other coastal districts in the Western Region. Planned Outputs Accomplishments Compendium of interim products including written contributions to the Tullow Oil spatial planning process Completed GIS products for use by District Prepared maps aerial photographs and software have been distributed to the district assembly Anankwari vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan Completed Shore use and best practices atlas Completed Table 14: District Level Coastal Management A District Advisory Committee including representatives, civil society, traditional authority and private sector, provided guidance for the district spatial planning process. The committee reviewed and updated present land uses in the coastal and inland areas which were synthesized into a draft district Spatial Development Framework SDF. Also, the Advisory Committee assisted in the harmonization of coastal management policies into a draft ICM strategy. The draft SDF and ICM strategy will form the basis for stakeholder consultations.

2.1.2 Anankwari River and Flood Plain Area

In 2010 and 2011, the seasonal rains caused havoc including loss of life in the Shama District, especially along the Pra river estuary and the Anankwari river plains. Studies were conducted in the previous year to simulate flooding with the river catchment. In Year 3 the studies were refined and steps were taken through the District Assembly to give the Anakwari estuary a legal protection. Table 15 outlines planned activities and accomplishment. Planned Outputs Accomplishment Review and refine climate change vulnerability assessment with community Completed through a participatory process Seek protection status for Anankwari wetland Bye-law preparation underway Recommend and seek adoption of remedial control, low impact development practices Statutory planning and other committees being empowered to be able to articulate the issues at the general assembly for adoption Shore use plan for recreational beach and protection of the outlet of Anankwari to sea. Plan developed. Bye-law preparations to give legal backing for the protection of wetlands and shorefront Table 15: Anankwari River and Flood Plain Area In May 2012, a workshop was organized to establish modalities for implementation of community-based flood early warning systems in Shama district. The workshop culminated in the development of a communication mechanism and collaborative action for improving flood 29 emergency preparedness. Institutions identified as crucial for flood emergency communication and action including the Ghana Meteorological Agency GMA, Radio Shama, and National Disaster Management Organization NADMO. Box 4 outlines various strategies for communicating flood emergency information. Vulnerability Assessment Current and potential vulnerability to flooding impacts was mapped for the Anankwari floodplain. The assessment indicated a dramatic shift in flood history from 10 years to 1 year as a result of settlement encroachment into the flood plain. GIS overlays were prepared to generate spatial information for drafting a bye-law for regulating land uses and improving emergency response. Box 5. Strategies for communicating flood early warning • Ghana Meteorological Agency sends information on potential flood threat • radio stations receive flood threat information and communicate this to key contacts in communities • Information is further communicated to the entire community • NADMO disaster volunteer groups assist in emergency evacuation • chiefs should use the old practice of communicating to their followers ie. the use gong-gong • the old system of ‘’sound calling, talking drums and shouting’’ should be employed in alerting people of emergency information • megaphones can be used in making announcements • cell phones, text messages and local radio must be used in communicating emergency information • education and sensitization is a ‘’key early warning intervention’’ • early warning information should not create fear and panic • in case of evacuation, residents should move to high ground or designated areas 30 Figure 11 Coastal map of Shama District showing the Anankwari floodplains and human use STMA Wetlands A socio-economichousehold and boundary surveys were completed for three wetlands Whin, Butuah and Essei. The exercise involved the STMA, land owners and traditional authorities, communityassembly persons from the riparian communities. The data generated will inform the design and content of a wetland byelaw being drafted by a legal consultant. Box 6. Regulating Development on the Anankwari Floodplain Floods have claimed lives and destroyed property year on year in the district. The assistance Hen Mpoano has provided the Shama district in generating flood risk hazards maps has improved the District’s spatial planning and permit decision making and officials have become knowledgeable in what developments should be permitted in flood zones. They have become proactive in communicating flood hazard information to prospective investors. In February 2012, the statutory planning committee received an application from an investor to site a tank farm covering 7.38 hectares of the Anankwari floodplain. The decision to grant permit was halted until detailed assessment of the potential risks to the investment was communicated to the proponent. Through this intervention, the investor has learned and accepted the need to site the facility on higher ground to guarantee longevity of the investment. 31

2.1.3 Shama Shorefront Management