The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has embarked on a nationwide stakeholder engagement to finalize a draft Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to operationalize Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs). By formalizing the role of local communities in conservation, the government is seeking to leverage grassroots stewardship to secure both ecological sustainability and local development.
The proposed regulations, anchored in the country’s Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115), aim to establish a clear statutory framework for the protection, conservation, and sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources.
The engagement, led by the Ministry in collaboration with the Forestry Commission, seeks to build consensus on a governance model that empowers communities. Delivering remarks on behalf of the sector Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Deputy Minister, Hon. Yusif Sulemana, emphasized that the draft L.I. is intended to provide legal clarity, structured governance systems, and stronger accountability for CREMAs.
“The draft Regulations seek to provide clear procedures for the establishment, governance and recognition of CREMAs, while ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources,” Sulemana said.
He explained that the proposed instrument outlines criteria for CREMA creation, including ecological significance, defined land tenure arrangements, and the consent of District Assemblies and traditional authorities.
The call for a robust legal framework comes amid mounting pressures on Ghana’s wildlife. The Minister bemoaned that beyond illegal mining, illegal hunting continues to erode biodiversity and weaken conservation gains.
“Unregulated hunting is depleting wildlife populations and undermining ecological balance. Protecting our wildlife is not optional; it is a national responsibility,” he stressed, framing the new regulations as a critical tool to combat this.
The Executive Director of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Joseph Boakye ESQ, underscored the complex challenges confronting community-based conservation, including habitat loss, weak enforcement, and competing land uses. He framed the stakeholder engagement not as a formality, but as an essential step in co-creating a resilient policy.
“The challenges before us are complex and evolving. We need your expertise and collective vision to refine this framework and ensure it delivers both conservation and livelihood benefits,” he appealed to participants. He urged them to actively contribute to shaping a robust and inclusive regulatory regime that balances conservation with local development.
The engagement brought together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including representatives from Local Government Authorities, Traditional Authorities, community leaders, as well as non-governmental and civil society organisations working in natural resource management and other relevant government institutions. The move signals a strategic shift toward recognizing communities as key partners in managing the natural assets that underpin local and national economies.
