The initiative, covering communities within the Builsa, Kologo, Naaga and Navrongo traditional areas, is intended to give residents greater responsibility for managing natural resources while addressing environmental threats, including illegal mining.
The inauguration and handover ceremony, held in Navrongo, brought together traditional authorities, local government officials, representatives of state institutions and development partners.
BULKONA CREMA was established under the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP), which has received World Bank support since 2022.
The project is supporting the establishment of eight Community Resource Management Areas across Ghana’s Western and Eastern Wildlife Corridors, five of which are located in the Western Wildlife Corridor.
The CREMA model allows communities outside designated wildlife reserves and protected areas to participate directly in the management, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
According to the Wildlife Division, the establishment of BULKONA CREMA began in 2022 with consultations involving traditional authorities, community members and other stakeholders.
The process included the election of a CREMA Executive Committee, the development of a constitution, the enactment and publication of bylaws, and the issuance of a Certificate of Devolution of Management Authority.
The certificate gives the community governance structure responsibility for coordinating natural resource management activities in accordance with the approved constitution and bylaws.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Chairman of BULKONA CREMA, Clifford Apagyarik, appealed to government and development partners to support participating communities with alternative livelihood opportunities to reduce their dependence on natural resources.
He identified illegal mining and water scarcity as major challenges threatening conservation efforts, particularly in communities where residents depend heavily on farming and other natural resource-based activities.
Mr Apagyarik explained that although members of the CREMA were committed to protecting the environment through voluntary service, they required financial and technical support to sustain their activities.
He therefore called for income-generating opportunities that would improve household livelihoods while reducing pressure on forests, land and water bodies.
The CREMA Chairman also urged traditional authorities to support the preparation of community land-use plans to regulate activities such as farming, settlement development and conservation.
He said clearly defined land-use plans would help communities identify areas requiring protection and address activities that threatened natural resources.
Mr Apagyarik further encouraged residents to adopt rainwater harvesting as a measure to improve water availability in communities experiencing shortages.
He expressed appreciation to traditional authorities, assembly members and other stakeholders who contributed to the establishment of the CREMA, particularly the Paramount Chief of Kologo, Naba Clifford Tandegrewangrekugre Asobayire V.
The Paramount Chief of Kologo welcomed the initiative and pledged the support of traditional authorities towards its implementation.
Naba Asobayire V said chiefs had a responsibility to protect the land, forests, wildlife and other natural resources inherited from their ancestors for future generations.
He commended the Forestry Commission, development partners and fellow traditional leaders, including the Builsa Na, Nab Piighu and the chiefs of Naaga, for supporting the establishment of the CREMA.
The chief expressed confidence that collaboration among traditional authorities, community representatives and government institutions would help prevent environmental destruction and promote sustainable resource management.
He assured the CREMA executives of the traditional authorities’ commitment to supporting conservation activities across the participating communities.
Meanwhile, the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly has pledged political, administrative and financial support for the initiative, subject to the availability of resources.
Speaking on behalf of the Municipal Chief Executive, Frederick Pwasam said the CREMA could contribute to environmental protection, job creation and peaceful coexistence among participating communities.
He identified ecotourism, beekeeping and the sustainable harvesting of shea nuts and dawadawa as potential economic activities that could create income opportunities, particularly for women and young people.
According to him, promoting alternative livelihoods would help reduce dependence on activities that degrade the environment while improving living conditions in beneficiary communities.
Mr Pwasam said the Assembly would also work towards aligning its bylaws with the CREMA’s conservation objectives to strengthen the enforcement of environmental regulations.
He warned that individuals who violated applicable laws by destroying protected natural resources could face legal consequences.
He urged residents, traditional authorities and members of the CREMA governance structure to take ownership of the initiative rather than depend entirely on external support.
The establishment of BULKONA CREMA also involved hunters, farmers, medicinal herbalists, women’s groups, youth groups and government workers to encourage broader community participation in conservation.
With its governance structures now established, the initiative is expected to coordinate conservation activities across the 19 participating communities while promoting sustainable economic opportunities.
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