CREMAs for Bisodiversity, Livelihoods and Climate Benefits in Buffer Zones of Mole National Park Launched. - A Rocha Ghana.

A Rocha Ghana has launched Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) for biodiversity, livelihoods and climate benefits in the buffer zones of Mole National Park in the West Gonja District Today.

The buffer zones identified are Mognori, Murugu, Kaden, Yazori, Kpulumbo, Bawena, Grubagu, Wawato and Kparia in the West Gonja District.

A Rocha Ghana is an environmental NGO, which recognises the inextricable link between modern man and the survival of the earth's flora and fauna. This organisation seeks to conserve important biological areas, hence sustainable options are sought for communities who live near the resources and whose livelihoods depend on them.

However, A Rocha Ghana aims to effectively manage the resources of the earth given to us by God through sustainable actions. Thus,is committed to environmental action through community-based conservation projects.

The programs Manager of A Rocha Ghana Northern Sector Mr. Daryl Bosu has reiterated that, community has an important role in securing natural resources, through the adoption of sustainable wildlife natural resources management system.

Nonetheless there are already national policy and legal frameworks empowering communities to own, invest and benefit from sustainably managing natural resources in their communal landscape.

The establishment of CREMAs offer opportunity for
communities to benefit from existing policy and legal instrument for environmental sustainability and their respective communities and districts.

In respect of this, A Rocha Ghana in collaboration with the

District Assemblies of West Gonja and the New North Gonja together with the traditional authority have launched a 3year program to support communities fringe Mole National Park in developing sustainable land use management systems using CREMAs as the implementation approach.

The program is however funded by FFEM, French Federation for Environmental Management, International Union for conservation of nature (IUCN), IUCN –Netherlands Committee, Westland International and Both Ends.

In launching the Programme, the District Chief Executive of

West Gonja District, Hon. Adam Mutawakilu noted that, the District's 2010-2013 Medium-Term Development Plan clearly shows the assembly's commitment in planning for sustainable development. The environment component focuses on improving land use systems, providing and affording access to renewable energy technology to the populace and enhancing the value of traditionally traded NTFPs.

Hon Mutawakilu has confirmed that, on 22nd May, 2012, the world leaders, ministers of state and representatives of development agencies met in Gabon in Bostwana in a Summit for Sustainability in Africa.

The meeting however focused on the historical patterns of natural resources exploitation that has failed to promote sustainable growth, environmental integrity and improved social capital.

Again He warned that, “Economic growth and human well-being in Africa will be threatened if we do not undertake concerted action to halt and reverse the degradation and loss of healthy ecosystems and biodiversity and to enhance society's ability to adapt to climate change and environmental risks and scarcities”.

Hon. Adams therefore invited and urged all stakeholders, particularly target communities to take the implementation of the programme serious and consider it vital in complementing social development interventions in the two Districts.

There is the need for traditional leaders to review current informal arrangements of range land utilisation by pastoralists from the northern parts of the sub-region, he added.

The Key Concern raised by the stakeholders at the launched was the need for continues education and awareness creation on importance and sustainable management of natural resources for the social development of the communities.

Crop raiding by elephants was also identified as the key challenge to fringe community livelihood as such, participants called for the concerted effort of NADMO and Wildlife division and development agencies to address these issues.

Suggestions were made employing government to make budgetary allocation for compensating farmers who fall victims to crop raiding activities.

Shallom Lumor
[email protected]
West Gonja District
Information Service