In coastal ecosystems, as in all ecosystems, there are interactions between living things and the physical environment. Mangroves are important parts of the intersection between land and sea environments, and they typically thrive in intertidal zones. Mangrove systems can store large amount of carbon both above-ground and below the ground sediment, which plays a role in mitigating climate change. Mangrove systems also create dense root networks and form dense canopies with intertwining branches. These act as natural barriers to, respectively, reduce the impact of rushing waters and act as buffers against floods during extreme weather and mitigate the force of strong winds. They are also breeding zones for commercially important aquatic species that people depend on for their livelihoods, like black chin tilapia and crabs. Mangroves are also cultivated for fuel wood for smoking fish, for building, and for other kinds of construction.
In Ghana, the Development Institute is undertaking a one-year project called Strengthening Local Participation in Mangrove Conservation and Restoration, whose goal is to boost the capacity of coastal communities to manage mangrove systems and help local mangrove user groups to rehabilitation mangrove sites and ecosystems. The project is being piloted in the community of Agbledomi in the Anloga district of Volta Region. Agbledomi is close to the main Volta Estuary between Ada and Anyanui to the west and between the sea and the Anyanui Creek or river to the south and north, respectively. On the seaward side of Agbledomi, there are lagoons and a long stretch of beach.
In this script, we interview Mr. Senyo Adzah, a researcher and consultant, who explains what mangrove systems are and gives a vivid description of the Agbledomi community. We also speak with Richard Abebu, a farmer and fisher in Agbledomi, who talks about the benefits of mangroves in his community and to him as a farmer. Madam Aho Adugba is a fishmonger in Agbledomi, and she shares her knowledge on mangrove restoration and gives advice on how to restore mangroves. Gabriel Koblah Ahianyo shares his experience as a fisher and how he benefits from the mangrove restoration project. Clemence Kugbey shares project details and explains the aim of the project.
You could adapt this script to produce a program on environmental conservation, climate change solutions, afforestation, or any other kind of Nature-based Solution that is suitable to your particular situation and is being implemented.
You could use this script as a basis for producing a program of your own by:
- Inviting an expert on Nature-based Solutions to your radio program and discussing the research findings on climate change solutions and the benefits of community efforts to conserve the environment.Interviewing small-scale farmers and fishers who actively engage in communal efforts to protect their environment and are interested in finding Nature-based Solutions to their problems. Be sure to give equal space to women’s experiences in all your coverage of farming and communal
- You could also pre-record this script, using voice actors, and play all or part of it during a program and studio discussion about preserving coastal areas or inland rivers in our communities with Nature-based solutions such as rehabilitating mangroves and practicing afforestation.Estimated running time for the script: 25 minutes, including intro, outro, music, and sound effects.