CREMA Executive Committee inaugurated in Atiwa West District

The Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) model, introduced by a group of institutions, has inaugurated a newly elected CREMA Executive Committee aimed at demonstrating commitment to sustainable resource management and community empowerment.

The management team, which includes the volunteer fire department, is expected to support the common goal of improving land and tree use policies to ensure greater responsibility and environmental protection.

The CREMA model involves engaging stakeholders in the area, including farmers, local chiefs, government representatives, opinion leaders, the private sector and landowners, to co-manage natural resources, especially wildlife.

This model raises awareness, prevents violations, strengthens accountability and builds capacity in best agroforestry practices, enables local communities to manage natural resources and ensures equitable sharing of benefits.

The group of institutions that developed the CREMA model in Atiwa West District are: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Wildlife Division of the Forest Commission, the FOREST Okyeman Project, the Atiwa West District Assembly and A Rocha Ghana.

The ceremonial inauguration of the CREMA Executive Committee, held in Kwabeng, was chaired by Mr. Reginald Osei Akoto.

They were sworn in by Mrs Beatrice Love Elion, Judge of the Kwabeng District Court.

Mr. Ayirebi Frimpong, a forestry specialist at UNDP, said the CREMA model has been implemented in eight communities surrounding the Atiwa Forest Reserve: Bomaa, Awenare, Apampatia, Abisem, Banso, Pameng, Akropong and Larbikrom.

He added that the ceremony not only recognised the hard work and commitment of all stakeholders but also laid the foundation for the continued success and sustainable development of the FOREST Okyeman project.

The FOREST Okyeman project aims to protect natural resources and help communities reactivate existing resource management groups and establish landscape-level management structures through the Community Resource Management Areas model.

Dr Godfred Bempah, Head of Wildlife Division at the Accra Forestry Commission, said the Wildlife Resources Management Act 2023 (ACT 1115) provides full legal support for the launch of CREMA.

The Wildlife Resources Management Act aims to promote sustainable wildlife management, conservation and community involvement in the protection of Ghana’s biodiversity, he added.
Barima Fredua Agyeman Okotomin, Okyenhene Asomkahene and Kyebi Kyidom Panin urged the CREMA Executive Committee members to work closely with stakeholders operating in the area and build strong networks to achieve their goals.