Participation and Sustainable Management of Coastal Lagoon Ecosystems: The Case of the Fosu Lagoon in Ghana

Frederick A. Armah, David O. Yawson, Alex N.M. Pappoe and Ernest K.A. Afrifa
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Frederick A. Armah: Department of Environmental Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
David O. Yawson: Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Alex N.M. Pappoe: Department of Environmental Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Ernest K.A. Afrifa: Department of Environmental Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

Sustainability, 2010, vol. 2, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Participation as a tool has been applied as a social learning process and communication platform to create awareness among stakeholders in the context of resource utilisation. The application of participatory processes to aquatic ecosystem management is attracting a growing body of literature. However, the application of participation as a tool for sustainable management of coastal lagoon ecosystems is recent. This paper examines the context and the extent of participation of stakeholders in the management of the Fosu lagoon in Ghana. Six hundred individuals from twenty seven stakeholder groups were randomly selected for study. Both closed and open-ended questions were used in face-to-face interviews with stakeholders. The findings indicate that the stakeholder groups were not involved in decision-making regarding the conservation of the lagoon irrespective of their expertise in planning and/or their interest in lagoon resource utilisation. This situation has created apathy among some of the stakeholders who feel neglected in the decision-making process. There is scope for broadening the base of interest groups in decision-making processes regarding the lagoon and improving stakeholder participation in the management of the lagoon to ensure the sustainability of the management process.

Keywords: stakeholder participation; community; lagoon management; conflict; socio-ecological system; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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