The Forestry Commission (FC) has hosted a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini, accompanied by officials from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana, on a study visit to learn from Ghana’s successful Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) model.
The visit formed part of Eswatini’s efforts to strengthen its community-based natural resource management system by drawing lessons from Ghana’s experience in promoting sustainable forest and wildlife conservation through local participation.
Developed by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, the CREMA model empowers communities to actively manage forests and wildlife resources while improving livelihoods and protecting biodiversity.
During the engagement at the Forestry Commission’s Boardroom in Accra, the delegation was taken through Ghana’s policy and legal framework for implementing CREMAs, including stakeholder engagement strategies, benefit-sharing mechanisms, governance structures, implementation experiences and opportunities for future collaboration between the two countries.
Welcoming the delegation, Acting Deputy Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Hon. Timothy Ataboadey Awontiirim, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to sharing Ghana’s experience in community-led conservation.
He highlighted the longstanding partnership between the Forestry Commission and UNDP, noting that the collaboration has played a key role in expanding the CREMA programme nationwide.
“We remain committed to strengthening this partnership to advance community-led conservation and sustainable natural resource management,” he said.
Operations Manager for Stakeholders at the Wildlife Division, Mr. Joseph Binlinla, presented the evolution of the CREMA concept, explaining how the initiative has empowered local communities to take ownership of forest protection, biodiversity conservation, wildfire prevention and sustainable livelihood development.
He said communities participating in CREMAs have benefited from livelihood programmes such as beekeeping, ecotourism, agroforestry and the production of non-timber forest products, helping improve household incomes while reducing pressure on forest resources.
The discussions also focused on the establishment and governance of CREMAs, community participation in decision-making, conflict resolution, the role of traditional authorities and the importance of institutional capacity building and continuous stakeholder engagement in ensuring the long-term success of community-based conservation initiatives.
Speaking on behalf of the Eswatini delegation, the country’s Principal Secretary, Madam Nonhlanhla Dlamini, commended Ghana for developing an effective community-centred conservation model.
She said the CREMA approach demonstrates how empowering local communities can significantly improve conservation outcomes while helping curb the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
Madam Dlamini also praised Ghana’s benefit-sharing arrangements and the strong collaboration among government agencies, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and local communities, describing the model as a valuable example that Eswatini could adapt to its own context.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Forestry Commission, including 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.
To commemorate the visit, members of the Eswatini delegation planted tree seedlings on the premises of the Forestry Commission in support of the Government’s Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, symbolising the shared commitment of both countries to environmental sustainability and community-driven conservation.
