Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience |  University of Cape Coast

Environmental monitoring efforts along Ghana's coastal and riverine systems have been strengthened through the installation of trail cameras at key locations in the Western and Volta regions.

The installation forms part of the Project for Development of Integrated Sediment and Environmental Management towards Sustainable Conservation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Livelihood Improvements in Coastal Areas (ISEMAC-G Project), a collaborative initiative between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the Centre for Coastal Management–Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (CCM-ACECoR), and the University of Tokyo.

The cameras were installed at Beposo on the Pra River, Sogakope on the Volta River, and Dzita along the Volta Region coastline to provide continuous visual records of environmental changes occurring in these areas. While the cameras at Beposo and Sogakope will monitor fluctuations in water levels and riverbank conditions, the camera at Dzita will capture shoreline dynamics, including coastal erosion, wave activity, and other changes along the coast.

The ISEMAC-G Project seeks to improve understanding of environmental changes within Ghana's coastal zones and support the development of sustainable management strategies. Through research and monitoring activities, the project aims to address the growing risks of coastal erosion, flooding, and environmental degradation that threaten coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them.

Data and images generated by the trail cameras will enable researchers to monitor environmental conditions over time, identify emerging trends, and better understand the factors driving coastal and riverine hazards. The information gathered will contribute to evidence-based decision-making and support efforts to enhance coastal resilience, promote sustainable conservation, and improve livelihoods in vulnerable coastal communities.