The IPSI Secretariat recently received a case study from partner organization Conservation Alliance International in Ghana, titled “Empowering communities for natural resource management: the case of Community Resource Management Areas (CREMA) in Western Ghana”.

According to the case study, natural resource management in Ghana has gone through several phases with different results. Prior to colonialism, traditional leaders and local communities devised different mechanisms to protect the integrity of natural resources, including the use of taboos, norms and customs. The adherence to these traditional practices was meant to ensure the long-term conservation of resources and safeguard economic security. The traditional practices were no longer entertained during colonial times and at the time of independence. The government then adopted the protected area management approach for natural resources, which only led to loss of biodiversity. Against this background, the Government of Ghana recognized the value of community involvement in resource governance and established Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs). The CREMA intervention focuses on bringing together communities that share common resources and take affirmative action to jointly manage their shared resources. To sustain the functioning of the CREMA initiative, a robust management strategy that will address the needs of different stakeholders is required. A study was therefore conducted to understand the needs of stakeholders to support the management of the CREMAs. CREMAs are proving to be the most effective means of engaging communities to appreciate the value of natural resources and participate in their sustainable management.

This case study was originally published in the Satoyama Initiative Thematic Review vol. 5. For the full case study, please see either the volume or the full write-up of the case study on the IPSI website here.