KOME AND SHIME COMMUNITIES SITTING ON TICKING TIME BOMB?

Cattle ranching has a lot consequential effects on ecological setting where it is practiced. The Third-Eye Gh News takes the a comprehensive look at "CATTLE REARING AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ECOSYSTEM AND LIVELIHOODS OF THE KOME AND SHIME COMMUNITIES OF THE ANLOGA DISTRICT OF THE VOLTA REGION"

Introduction

Keta Lagoon, also called Anlo-Keta lagoon, is the largest of the over 90 lagoons that cover the 550 km stretch of the coastline of Ghana. This lagoon is 126 km in length and is located in the eastern coast of Ghana and separated from the Gulf of Guinea by a narrow strip of sandbar. This open salty water is surrounded by flood plains and mangrove swamps. Together they form the Keta Lagoon Ramsar site which covers 1200 km2

There are seasonal inflow of sea water during high tide from the Gulf of Guinea into the rivers. The rivers which drain into the lagoon include the Aka, the Tordzi River and Belikpa stream which enter the lagoon from the north. The lagoon is surrounded by many settlements. The Kome and Shime areas of the Anloga District, fall within the wetlands declared as Ramsar sites. Some important communities within the Kome area comprise Kodzi, Deta, Fiaxor, Alakple and Atito and Latame. 

In 1992 the Keta Lagoon was placed on the list of Wetlands of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and in 1999 work began on measures to limit further erosion and to control flooding of the coastal region.

The Ecosystem before the Introduction of Cattle Rearing

This lagoon holds variety of fishes from the marine environment and from rivers. It is a spawning zone for fingerlings and the habitat is conducive for native fishes. With seasonal inflow of sea water, marine fishes migrate to breed in the calmer waters of the lagoon, especially the safe haven provided by the mangrove swamp section. Some of the freshwater species encountered were Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia zillii, Hemichromis Fasciatus and H. bimaculatus. 

The Keta lagoon is the most important wetland on the Ghana coast for waterbirds and together with Songor Lagoon constitutes the fourth most important waterbirds site on the Gulf of Guinea coast. The site supports 76 waterbird species with an estimated total population of well over 100,000, including globally significant numbers of 21 species. The site is particularly important for waders, supporting almost one third of the estimated East Atlantic Flyway population of Tringa erythropus. Other species which occur in large numbers at the site include Calidris ferruginea, C. minuta, Himantopus himantopus, Dendrocygna viduata, as well as several heron and egret species. The most important parts of the lagoon for waterbirds are the Fiahor, Woe, Tegbi, Adina and Afiadenyigba sections. This Lagoon is the most important water bird site along the entire Ghana coast with a record of 72 species of resident and migratory birds. The Keta Lagoon and its surrounding wetlands qualifies as an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar criteria by virtue of its total bird population of around 110,000 and the fact that it supports internationally important eight species of migratory waders. 

The Anlo- Keta area also abounds in native culture and tradition that could attract ecotourists. Projects involving private and public partnership could help develop play grounds and picnic areas, lagoon swimming facilities, sailing and fishing, cycling, beach volleyball and jogging as sports to attract local recreational tourism. An opportunity also exists for turning aquatic reeds harvested by women into bags, mats and other handicrafts that will provide alternative livelihoods to generate income especially for women. There are native dances such as agbadza, gahu, atsiagbekor, babasiko and misago. 

The Ecosystem after the Introduction of Cattle Rearing

Before 1980, cattle rearing was only known at the northern fringes of the Shime areas specifically in Trekume, Benadzi, Nyikutor areas. However, somewhere in mid-eighties, some wealthy members of the community brought cattle further south into the Kome areas specifically Adzato, Atito, Alakple, Latame, Deta and Kodzi and Fiaxor communities. Since then, the areas have witnessed untold adverse impacts on the delicate ecosystem, fisheries productivity and livelihoods of the people.

Presently, cattle population in the Kome area is about five thousand and owners allow them to graze free range in very corner and area of Kome resulting in overgrazing of the little grassland in the Kome area. Attempts by indigenes and the Assembly to curb their destructive activities have not yielded any results. 

Impact on Erosion, Flora and Fauna (Plant and Animal life)

The cattle graze so close to the soil thus exposing the soil to wind and rain erosion. During the start of the rains, sheets of top soil are carried unchecked into the lagoon thus further adding to the siltation of the lagoon. Large areas of the Kome are now very bare and the previously luxuriant undergrowth of grasses and other plant species are now almost extinct. The only plants left standing are the cassia trees planted by the people along the roadsides and in some groves. 

Below are some grass and other plant species that are almost extinct in the area: - Solie, Agu, Efaãgbui, Ayike, Ketsi, Ayidi, Edeti, Eworkey, Kesebotui, Devi, Gbekle, Dzowoeku, Kaklagbe, Afidemē, Ebe, Aflagbe and Woduiwogbugbor. Some of these plants are known for their medicinal values. Herbal preparations from these plants have been tried and tested by our forebears and a case in point is the "lumey" plant which cures stomach upset and ulcer. Fruit trees such as mangoes are not spared either. When mangoes are in season, cattle destroys them and do not allow them to be harvested by owners to be sold for income.

It is observed that not only plants, both terrestrial and aquatic, have been affected by the advent of cattle ranching in the area but some animal populations have also been affected. Uncontrolled grazing of cattle resulted in the driving away of some forms of animal life notably the declining population of rabbits, alligators, wolves, large cats, etc especially in the Dumey, Atsa, Koliawovornufe, and Deminu groves of Kome. Noticeable varieties of migratory birds are also no longer coming into the area, for example: Akpaglo, Mavividetsi, Tormekoklo, Horhor, Gbatami, Aluge, Gobo, Tsalēy, Papayesu, etc. Other shell form crustacean affected are “galaledzi and galadzekpui” crabs. Uncontrolled cattle grazing has in effect destroyed the once enviable ecology in the Kome area, and also affected major sources of income for the communities. 

The prospect of ecotourism development in the Kome area is also largely affected by the rampant uncontrolled movement of cattle that defecate all over the area including the streets and potential tourism areas, posing physical and health hazards to the indigenes and investors.

There is also a social cost of the uncontrolled movement of cattle. This free-roaming cattle trample on graves in public cemeteries and destroy the serene and reverend environment of the cemeteries. In addition, the cattle destroys  properties including farms and fences of households which mostly resulted in reprisal attacks on the cattle. A check from the Alakple and Anloga District Police offices respectively, reveals a number of unresolved cattle related cases between cattle owners and aggrieved victims from the Kome enclave.

Conclusion

The advent of cattle rearing in the Kome area of the Anloga District has interrupted the delicate balance of the eco-system in the area. It has adversely affected populations of flora and fauna, decreased fisheries and crab productivity, reduced income hence affected livelihoods of communities as well as inhibiting the development of tourism potentials of the area. It could also be observed that, some selected rich individuals who are into cattle rearing are profiteering at the expense of the vulnerably poor majority whose livehood revolves around the ecological setting. This issue needs to be seriously tabled and considered by the Anloga District Assembly and resolved in order to pave way for sustainable peace and meaningful development of the area.