Riparian Buffer Zone Policy for Managing Freshwater Bodies in Ghana. Country/Territory Ghana Document type Date 2011 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Agricultural & rural development, Food & nutrition, Water Keyword Agricultural land Capacity building Agro-forestry Smallholders/peasants Flood Freshwater resources management Climate change Food security Water conservation zone Community management Sustainable use Water shortage/drought Inland waters Basin/catchment/watershed Geographical area Africa, North Atlantic, Western Africa Abstract The Riparian Buffer Zone Policy for Managing Fresh Water Bodies in Ghana was designed as a harmonized document of all the dormant and fragmented regulations in the country concerning buffers bordering water bodies or river systems. It is also designed to provide comprehensive measures and actions that would guide the coordinated creation of vegetative buffers for the preservation and functioning of water bodies and vital ecosystems in the country. The Policy aims at ensuring that all designated buffer zones along rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs and other water bodies shall be sustainably managed for all. Full text English