Hen Mpoano, in its continued efforts to protect Ghana’s coastal ecosystems, is implementing the project titled “Upscaling the Conservation Efforts of the Greater Amanzule Wetlands through the Creation of Community Resource Management Areas and Green Livelihood Enterprises (UPSComRMAGLE).” This three-year project, funded with CHF 250,000 by the Audemars-Watkins Foundation, is designed to strengthen natural resource governance, expand CREMA models, and empower communities through green enterprises.
Background and Rationale
The Greater Amanzule Wetlands (GAW) is a biodiversity hotspot, home to rich peat swamp forests and essential wildlife habitats. However, pressures from illegal logging, unsustainable farming practices, and weak community resource governance have threatened the ecological integrity of the area. Hen Mpoano, drawing from years of grassroots conservation work, is scaling up interventions to build resilient, community-led resource management frameworks through the CREMA (Community Resource Management Area) model. The UPSComRMAGLE project is a direct response to the need for stronger local governance, ecological restoration, and livelihood diversification in the face of climate and human-induced challenges.
Project Objectives
The primary objective of the UPSComRMAGLE project is to strengthen the governance of natural resources within the Greater Amanzule Wetlands by enhancing existing CREMAs and creating new ones. Specifically, the project aims to:
- Formalize two existing CREMAs by securing devolution of authority certificates.
- Establish two new CREMAs in adjoining communities to expand protection coverage.
- Empower local CREMA structures for effective natural resource management.
- Promote green livelihood enterprises to serve as conservation incentives.
- Establish a conservation fund to sustain CREMA operations.
Key Results and Activities
- Formalization and Expansion of CREMAs
Building on earlier efforts, the project will secure formal legal backing for two CREMAs Ajomoro-Ankobra and Bobrama-Asanta-Ankobra by submitting official dossiers to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in collaboration with the Wildlife Division.
These CREMAs will be officially inaugurated, and their structures fully operationalized.
Additionally, lessons learned from these two CREMAs will inform the establishment of two new ones within the GAW landscape. Through community mapping, stakeholder dialogues, and sensitization efforts, the project will identify and cluster adjoining communities to extend biodiversity protection.
- Strengthening Local Governance Structures
Community-based structures such as CREMA Resource Management Committees (CRMCs) and CREMA Executive Committees (CECs) will receive targeted capacity-building support.
Members will undergo advanced training in nursery establishment for mangrove and tree restoration. This includes preparing nursery sites, maintaining hygiene, soil filling, and seedling propagation. The project will build on previous work where CRMCs were supported with boats and equipment to collect monitoring data and support restoration.
- Participatory Boundary Demarcation and Biodiversity Monitoring
CREMA boundaries will be identified and demarcated using participatory methods and GIS tools. Rapid biodiversity assessments will be conducted in the proposed new CREMAs to understand existing threats and ecological conditions. Community monitoring teams will be trained in the use of digital tools such as Global Forest Watch (GFW), Forest Watcher, SMART, and the Event Book. These tools will empower communities to monitor illegal activities, assess forest health, and adapt management responses effectively. Patrol logistics will also be provided to ensure consistent monitoring.
- Promotion of Green Livelihood Enterprises
UPSComRMAGLE integrates economic empowerment into conservation through support for green ventures. The project will provide 100 community members particularly women and youth with training and start-up resources in agroforestry, silviculture, and beekeeping. Participants will receive tools including bee hives, protective gear, grafting kits, and agroforestry planting materials. These livelihood activities will be linked to a conservation fund managed by the CREMAs to ensure long-term sustainability and reduce dependency on external funding.
Beneficiaries
The project targets a broad base of coastal stakeholders including women, youth, local farmers, resource users, fishers, and other vulnerable groups. Community institutions such as CRMCs and CECs will also be formalized and strengthened to function more efficiently.
Anticipated Impacts
Environmental Impact
- Enhanced biodiversity conservation and habitat protection
- Restoration of degraded mangrove and peat swamp forests
- Carbon sequestration contributing to climate change mitigation
Social Impact
- Improved livelihoods through sustainable economic opportunities
- Cleaner environments leading to better community health
- Preservation of cultural practices tied to natural resource use
Economic Impact
- Increased tourism potential from well-managed conservation areas
- Sustainable use of natural resources for long-term economic resilience
- Reduced disaster risks through ecosystem restoration
Educational and Research Impact
- Enabling field-based environmental research and data collection
- Community education and sensitization on environmental stewardship
Project Site and Duration
The project is being implemented across selected communities within the Greater Amanzule Wetlands in Ghana’s Western Region. It is expected to run for a duration of three years.
Contact Information
For more information about the UPSComRMAGLE project, kindly contact;
Daniel Doku Nii Nortey
Program Manager, Hen Mpoano
Email: dnortey@henmpoano.org
Phone: +233 24 931 9760
