SAKUMO LAGOON

Sakumo Lagoon is located west of Tema in the Greater Accra Region, and covers 1,364 ha. Seventy species of water birds have been recorded, with the total population estimated at 30,000. Thirteen fish species belonging to 13 genera and 8 families occur. The black chin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) constitutes about 97% of the fish population. Three species of marine turtles nest on the beaches, i.e. Olive Ridley turtle, green turtle and leatherback turtles.

The site is contiguous to the rapidly growing municipalities of Accra and Tema. It is the most urbanized wetland, with a large human population in its immediate vicinity, estimated at 250,000 in 1999. Land-use activities include arable agriculture, animal grazing, fishing, fuel wood gathering, settlement and industrial development. Farming takes up 49% of the area and involves cultivation of rice, cassava and vegetables. Lagoon and marine fishing mainly involves tilapia, horse mackerel and the blue-legged swing crab. The chief priest, who is the custodian of the lagoon, officially closes the lagoon to public activity to perform purification rituals. These days of informal closure are usually after the market, and are observed by all local communities. This local tradition takes away some of the pressure on natural resource utilization.