Wetland transformation and the implications for ecological resilience in peri-urban Ghana

Wetlands support the economic, social, and ecological resilience of urban spaces. Yet, in many African cities, these resources are increasingly encroached upon, often without the knowledge or approval of planning authorities. Employing a qualitative case study approach, using Apire, a peri-urban neighbourhood in Kumasi, Ghana, as a case, the research integrates satellite image analysis from 2013 to 2023 with in-depth interviews, direct observations, and document reviews to achieve three objectives: (i) to establish spatiotemporal evidence of wetland transformation, (ii) to examine the nature and drivers of developments on the wetlands and their environmental consequences, and (iii) to examine the effectiveness of existing urban planning responses to wetland transformation. The findings indicate a significant conversion of wetlands into residential and agricultural land uses, with built-up areas increasing by 25.89 % and wetland vegetation decline by 12.31 % over the study period. These changes have notably disrupted the hydrological functions of the wetland system. The study found the existence of several appropriate urban planning interventions to safeguard the wetland. However, institutional responses were found to be weak, poorly coordinated, and largely ineffective due to fragmented land governance, limited enforcement capacity, and poor collaboration between planning institutions and traditional authorities. The study underscores the urgent need for inclusive, adaptive, and enforceable urban planning strategies that protect wetlands as a vital infrastructure for climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and long-term resilience of urban spaces.