MANCOGA
The MANCOGA Project is building a sustainable knowledge base for the use of mangroves as nature-based solutions to coastal hazards in Eastern Ghana. Its main goal is to lay the foundation for safe and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities in the region.
During the first nine months of the project, a co-design phase was conducted. This revealed that stakeholders at all levels possess a broad understanding of mangrove ecosystem services and previous research efforts. However, it also highlighted significant knowledge gaps in local detail and a disconnect between research and implementation.
Goals and Tasks
Sampling in the Mangrove Estuary: Sediment Core for Laboratory Analyses on Carbon Storage
Focus on Two Key Local Priorities
1. Sustainable Livelihoods
The project quantifies mangrove ecosystem services—such as carbon storage and eutrophication control—and links them to economic opportunities like carbon credits and enhanced local fisheries.
2. Coastal Protection
Mangroves play a vital role in protecting communities from coastal erosion. The project develops what-if scenarios using an early version of a Digital Twin tool currently under development. These activities also help consolidate existing knowledge from databases, reports, community surveys, and traditional practices.
Collaboration & Knowledge Transfer
A Digital Toolbox and ongoing stakeholder dialogue ensure a partnership built on mutual understanding. All parties are empowered to engage with scientific findings and contribute to their transformation into societal solutions. User testing and feedback mechanisms further strengthen this collaboration, which was initiated during the co-design phase and continues through dedicated social media groups and the MANCOGA Community Tool.
Impact Beyond the Project
New insights into the practical benefits of mangroves feed into policy recommendations aimed at promoting the protection and sustainable use of these ecosystems. These recommendations are shared with relevant stakeholders. Public outreach, citizen science, and dissemination of results help foster scientific and societal engagement—creating an environment that supports the continuation of the MANCOGA initiative beyond the official project duration.
Link to MANCOGA-Project
Funding
The MANCOGA Project is funded by the MeerWissen Initiative, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
Participating Departments
Contact
Head of Department
Institute of Carbon Cycles/ Global Coast
Phone: Phone.: +49 (0) 4152 87-1523