The prospects of community-based natural resource management in Ghana: A case study of Zukpiri community resource management area

Issah Baddianaah,Louis Baaweh

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08187

Issah Baddianaah, Louis Baaweh

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08187

Copy DOI

Journal: Heliyon	Publication Date: Oct 1, 2021
Citations: 14	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University for Development Studies

Abstract

The Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) model was adopted in Ghana in the 1990s to help conserve and increase the forest area of Ghana. Since its adoption, little is known about the prospects of the model in the scientific literature. To fill this gap, this study examined the management strategies, benefits and challenges of the Zukpiri CREMA in the Upper West Region. Mixed methods research involving a survey of 190 households, seven (7) focus group discussions and key informant interviews were employed to collect data in seven (7) CREMA communities. The study found that local communities employed several strategies including the formation of community resource management committees, enactment of bye-laws and fines regarding the management and extraction of the CREMA resources. The CREMA has positively impacted the livelihoods of the inhabitants through the harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and support from Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations. Nonetheless, the CREMA is not without challenges. These include land tenure and the CREMA resource use conflicts. This study, therefore, argued that besides creating an enabling ecologically balanced environment, inhabitants of the CREMA communities are reaping the benefits of the CREMA in many ways. Hence, the Forestry Commission of Ghana should focus on aligning relevant livelihood strategies in line with the CREMA approach to further deepen local communities’ commitment to the conservation drive.

Highlights

Worldwide, forest landscapes contain the most important natural resources which provide essential services and products for human sustenance (Husseini et al, 2016; FAO, 2016b; Jiao et al, 2019; Mavhura and Mushure, 2019; Islam et al, 2019; Gilli et al, 2020; Kamwi et al, 2020)
The more communities enjoy these benefits from the Community Resource Management Area (CREMA), the more they will commit their attention to protecting, managing, and conserving the natural resources found within their sphere of influence
The CREMA provides medicinal herbs to the local people including the initiators of the CREMA–Zintang Healers Association whose traditional medicinal needs brought the CREMA into existence

Summary

Introduction

Forest landscapes contain the most important natural resources which provide essential services and products for human sustenance (Husseini et al, 2016; FAO, 2016b; Jiao et al, 2019; Mavhura and Mushure, 2019; Islam et al, 2019; Gilli et al, 2020; Kamwi et al, 2020). Forest and wildlife resources are crucial in supporting, maintaining and replenishing global ecosystems (FAO, 2014; 2016b; Baskent, 2020). According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO] (2014), an average of 13 million hectares of the global forest cover is depleted annually, and Africa alone accounts for about 3.4 million hectares. Africa occupies the second highest position in the global ranking of deforestation, attributed to population increase and the associated increase in consumption of forest and wildlife resources (Husseini et al, 2016; Amoah and Korle, 2020).

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion