The Forestry Commission (FC) has welcomed a delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini, accompanied by representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana, on a learning visit to explore Ghana’s Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) model.
The visit formed part of Eswatini’s efforts to gain practical knowledge of Ghana’s community-based natural resource management approach, with particular focus on stakeholder engagement, benefit-sharing mechanisms and strategies for promoting sustainable forest and wildlife conservation.
Developed by the Wildlife Division (WD) of the Commission, the CREMA concept is a community-based governance model designed to promote collaborative and participatory forest and wildlife resource management while improving livelihoods and strengthening biodiversity conservation.
Held at the Forestry Commission Boardroom, the engagement sought to deepen the delegation’s understanding of the policy and legal framework underpinning CREMA implementation in Ghana. Discussions also examined benefit-sharing arrangements between communities and resource management institutions, implementation experiences, challenges, and opportunities for future collaboration and knowledge exchange between Ghana and Eswatini.
Welcoming the delegation, the Acting Deputy Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Hon. Timothy Ataboadey Awontiirim, assured the visitors of a rewarding learning experience and productive deliberations. He highlighted the longstanding partnership between the FC and UNDP, noting the critical role both institutions have played in expanding and strengthening the CREMA model across Ghana. He also underscored the importance of sustaining and deepening this collaboration to promote community-led conservation and sustainable natural resource management.
The Operations Manager in charge of Stakeholders at the Wildlife Division, Mr. Joseph Binlinla, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the evolution of the CREMA concept in Ghana. He outlined how the model empowers local communities to play a central role in forest protection, biodiversity conservation, wildfire prevention and sustainable livelihood development.
He further highlighted the range of livelihood support programmes being implemented within CREMAs, including beekeeping, ecotourism, agroforestry and the development of non-timber forest products, all of which contribute to improving community incomes while reducing pressure on natural resources.
Interactive discussions centred on the establishment and governance of CREMAs, community participation in decision-making, conflict resolution mechanisms and the integration of traditional authorities into local resource governance structures. Participants also emphasised the importance of continuous stakeholder engagement, institutional capacity building and community ownership as critical factors for the long-term success of community-based resource management initiatives.
Eswatini’s Principal Secretary, Madam Nonhlanhla Dlamini, speaking on behalf of the delegation commended the Forestry Commission for its unwavering commitment to community participation and sustainable natural resource management. She observed that Ghana’s CREMA model had demonstrated how meaningful community involvement could significantly improve conservation outcomes while reducing the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
She further praised the effectiveness of the benefit-sharing arrangements and the strong collaboration among government institutions, traditional authorities, civil society organisations and local communities, describing the Ghanaian experience as a valuable model from which Eswatini could draw lessons.
The meeting was attended by the Wildlife Division’s Acting Director of Operations (Protected Areas), Mr. Enoch Amasa Ashie; Operations Manager (Protected Areas), Mr. Richard Ofori-Amanfo; Human Resource Manager, Madam Stella Sankah; Operations Manager (Wetlands and General Services), Mr. Eric Atta-Kusi; Public Relations Manager, Madam Ernestina Anie; and other officials of the FC.
As a significant commemoration of the visit, members of the Eswatini delegation planted some tree seedlings within the Commission’s premise in support of the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, reaffirming their shared commitment to environmental sustainability.
