Urban planning failure in the protection of ecologically sensitive areas: factors that contribute to the ineffective management of ecological resources in Kumasi

Abstract

The conventional literature on urban wetlands has, over the years, focused on the effects of urbanization on the encroachment of wetlands and ecosystem services. Nonetheless, little is known about how institutions respond to the encroachments along ecologically sensitive areas within the context of the global south. A comprehensive insight into the management strategies adopted by institutions in ecosystem services governance is essential for advancing the sustainability discourse in Ghana. Using the qualitative research approach, face-to-face interviews were conducted among relevant stakeholder institutions. The findings indicate that the strategies adopted by institutions in the management of ecologically sensitive areas are top-down in nature and this has been ineffective over the years. The paper recommends the need for community-based approaches for the management and protection of ecologically sensitive areas. The community-based approach can be adopted through the integration of local knowledge in promoting ecological sustainability.