Along Ghana’s Keta Strip, groundwater sustains vegetable farming and livelihoods but faces increasing pressure from irrigation and saltwater intrusion. Using groundwater games, interviews and group discussions across ten communities, our research helped farmers recognise that separate wells draw on a shared resource. During gameplay, uncoordinated plot expansion accelerated simulated groundwater depletion, while communication and collective decisions helped sustain water availability. Discussions also revealed barriers to cooperation, including weak institutional support, mistrust and concerns about fairness. The findings highlight the potential of experiential learning to strengthen community-led groundwater governance, supported by equitable rules, farmer education and institutions that enable lasting cooperation.
Hydrogeology Journal | https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-026-03058-7
Free access until 5 November 2026
A facilitator uses groundwater game charts to explain how irrigation decisions affect shared water supplies in Ghana’s Keta Strip.
Community engagement during the groundwater governance research in Ghana’s Keta Strip.
