Two environmental groups tasked to safeguard the biodiversity of the Atiwa Forest, one of Ghana's most important ecological treasures, have been unveiled at Kwabeng in Eastern Region.
They are the Atiwa West Community Resource Management Areas (CREMA) executive committee and Fire Volunteer Squad.
The group members were sworn in by the Atiwa West District Court Judge, Love Beatrice Elimons.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony on Thursday, a representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr Ayirebi Frimpong, emphasised the vital role the two groups would play in ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources. "This committee must not view their role as mere administrators.
They must recognise the power and responsibility they hold in protecting the wildlife and resources of the Atiwa Forest for future generations," he emphasised.
Mr Frimpong said the inauguration, as part of the forest project initiative, underscored the critical need for local communities to actively participate in co-managing their natural surroundings.
A major focus of the project, would be to check illegal mining and logging that threaten the forest's ecosystem, he said.
Mr Frimpong noted that, "If the committee applies their resources and energy effectively, they can significantly reduce these harmful activities." The Director of Stakeholder and Ecotourism at the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Dr Alfred Bempah, reinforced the importance of the CREMA model and highlighted the recent passage of the Wildlife Management Act 2023 (Act 1115), which provided the legal backing for the CREMA's operationalisation.
The Act equipped CREMAs with the authority to implement wildlife regulations and enforce sustainable practices within their jurisdictions, he revealed. "Some CREMAs have successfully stopped the illegal felling of Rosewood, a clear demonstration of how these local groups can make a positive impact," Dr Bempah explained. "Beyond legal enforcement, the CREMAs are encouraged to revive traditional methods of conservation, Dr Bempah noted, adding that by restoring taboos and totems associated with the Atiwa Forest, communities could strengthen their cultural ties to conservation efforts. "These systems, which once played a critical role in wildlife preservation, can be revitalised to support modern conservation practices," he said.
Dr Bempah also urged opinion leaders in the Atiwa West to remain resilient in the face of challenges, because their efforts would have a long-lasting impact on both the local environment and the people who depend on it.
Moereover, he said the Fire Volunteer Squad, an essential part of the new initiative, would support efforts to prevent and respond to wildfires, which posed a growing threat to Ghana's forests.
By engaging local communities directly, he stated that the squad hoped to increase awareness about fire hazards and encourage proactive measures to prevent forest fires before they start.
FROM AMA TAKYIWAAAMPADU AGYEMAN, KWABENG