Dr Joseph Boakye, the Executive Director of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, has described the Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) model as an effective tool for safeguarding Ghana’s environment through community participation.
Speaking at the inauguration of four CREMAs within the Gbele Ecological Landscape at Tumu, Dr Boakye said the CREMA approach allowed local communities to manage their natural resources while benefiting economically and socially.
The four CREMAs are, Kara-Gandawii, Aabinchie, Kasena-Nimoro and Chiewia CREMA, as fully operational CREMAs with devolved management authority.
He explained that, with support from the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) and the Ghana Shea Landscape Emissions Reduction Project (GSLERP), five CREMAs were initiated in 2022 across the Sissala East, Sissala West, and Daffiama-Bussie-Issa districts.
According to him, the initiative aims to restore about 244,947.57 hectares of degraded land within the operational area of the Gbele Resource Reserve.
Dr Boakye noted that the CREMAs will directly benefit 66 communities, with 29 in Sissala East and the rest in Sissala West and Daffiama-Bussie-Issa districts.
He said communities involved in the initiative will benefit from livelihood support programmes such as organic shea value chain development, dawadawa processing, beekeeping, and the establishment of cash crop and woodlots.
He commended the Sissala East and Sissala West District Assemblies for gazetting by-laws to regulate the CREMAs.
Dr Boakye urged Assemblies to integrate CREMA activities into their development plans to sustain conservation efforts.
He revealed that there were currently about 66 CREMAs at different stages of development across Ghana, with 33 already granted devolution certificates by the Government.
Dr Boakye said the initiative aligned with the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115), and contributed to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 13 and 15 on climate action and life on land.
Financial sustainability has been identified as a key pillar for the long-term survival of Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) under the Ghana Shea Landscape Emissions Reductions Project.
Mr Emmanuel Baapeng, Project Manager of the Ghana Shea Landscape Emissions Reduction Project (GSLERP), said the project was developing a financial model that would enable CREMAs to operate as self-reliant institutions even after the project ends in 2027.
The model included the establishment of transparent CREMA funds, revolving financing schemes, and performance-based agreements to support conservation activities, shea parkland restoration, and community enterprises.
Mr Baapeng explained that the sustainability framework will also promote public-private partnerships and stronger institutional collaboration, particularly between the Forestry Commission of Ghana and the Global Shea Alliance.
The initiative will further strengthen women’s cooperatives along the shea value chain.
Mr Benin Adamu Yakubu, the Sissala East Municipal Chief Executive who handed over the Certificates of Devolution to the four Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) within the Gbele Resource Reserve landscape, said climate change and increasing deforestation continue to threaten Ghana’s natural resources, making community involvement in conservation more critical than ever.
Mr Yakubu reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to environmental sustainability, adding that the Municipality will continue doing so by promoting tree planting, restoring degraded lands and supporting alternative livelihoods to reduce dependence on charcoal production.
He congratulated the beneficiary communities and urged stakeholders to work together to ensure the long-term success of the CREMAs within the Gbele landscape.
Some outstanding individuals including Mr Bawa Ayamga, Mr Manje Sibiri, Madam Wasilla Sisolo, and officials of EPA were honoured for the tremendous contributions towards conservation within the area. Each took home a citation and an undisclosed cash amount.
GNA
