Study advocates long-term,nature-based solutions to Ghana’s coastal erosion

A new study on Ghana’s coastal erosion has urged policymakers to move away from an overreliance on hard engineering and instead adopt long-term, nature-based solutions to protect vulnerable shorelines.

Presenting his findings at the Kingfisher Science Salon, organised by the German Embassy in Ghana and the DAAD Regional Office in Accra, Friedrich Nikolaus Neu, a PhD researcher in Human Geography at the University of Freiburg, said erosion in the Volta River Delta is caused by a complex interplay of factors — not just climate change.

While rising sea levels and stronger storms are significant drivers, he explained that human activities such as the construction of the Akosombo Dam and harbours, sand extraction, and groundwater use have disrupted sediment flow and accelerated land loss.

Mr. Neu’s presentation, based on a seven-year study of the Volta River Delta — including ethnographic fieldwork conducted over multiple visits between 2021 and 2023 — found that costly sea defence projects like the Keta Sea Defence Project may protect certain stretches of coastline but often push erosion pressure further down the shore. This has resulted in new erosion hotspots in areas such as Blekusu and Adina.

He warned that the social impacts of such interventions are often overlooked. In-situ resettlement under the Keta project, he said, used standardised concrete houses that disrupted community structures, failed to meet cultural needs, and forced residents to alter their homes to suit their livelihoods.

Mr. Neu called for scaling up nature-based measures such as mangrove restoration, beach nourishment, and integrated shoreline management, backed by stronger regulation of sand mining and sustainable water use.

He stressed that these efforts must be coordinated across administrative boundaries, grounded in local and indigenous knowledge, and designed through genuine community participation.

Commenting on the findings, Dr. Philip-Neri Jayson-Quashigah of the MANCOGA Project (GIZ) said mangroves could play a crucial role in protecting coastal communities. He noted that mangroves can help to secure the shores, act as buffers against storm surges, and support fisheries.

Dr. Selasi Yao Avornyo, Lecturer at the University of Ghana, also supported the study’s call for integrated coastal management.

“We need sensitisation at the community level, adaptive governance, and a bottom-up approach where local voices shape interventions. Scientists must work hand-in-hand with policymakers to change the narrative around coastal erosion from crisis management to long-term resilience,” he said.

Both experts agreed that the challenge demands coordinated action among government agencies, researchers, civil society, and affected communities. They also emphasised that coastal management strategies must consider socio-economic realities, ensuring that adaptation measures strengthen — rather than disrupt — livelihoods.

The Kingfisher Science Salon provides a platform for researchers to share solutions to pressing environmental and climate challenges. Neu’s presentation offers both a warning and a roadmap — urging Ghana to rethink its approach to coastal protection before more land, homes, and heritage are lost.