The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in collaboration with the Forestry Commission have began a 4-day dissemination workshop on the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115) and proposed LI for the Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) Establishment and Operationalization.
The workshop is a significant step towards promoting conservation and sustainability in Ghana. It also aims to share knowledge and gather input from various stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding the new legislation.
Speaking to participants at the forum on Monday, 28th October, 2024 in Takoradi, Western Region, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Lands and Forestry, Hon. Akwasi Konadu emphasized the Act’s significance in transforming Wildlife conservation, aligning Ghana with international conventions, and involving local communities.
“Among others, the new law brings Ghana’s wildlife law in conformity with existing policies in the sector and provide for the implementation of international conventions on wildlife to which Ghana is a signatory”, he added.
Hon. Konadu indicated the Ministry acknowledges that, legislation alone is not enough to address the multifaceted challenges faced in the wildlife sector, hence, the need to outdoor the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115) and Court for the support of all key stakeholders in its implementation.
“We do not want this document to remain on the shelves in Accra but should be widely circulated and the contents well understood, and the roles and responsibilities well explained for easy implementation”.
He added that the CREMA model, fully supported by the Act, has proven to be an effective approach for involving local communities in the management of natural resources. The Deputy Minister also noted that in order to give effect to the operationalization of the CREMA Model nationwide, there is the need for a Legislative Instrument (LI), which will be developed to support other related issues that have been widely discussed in the Act.
He assured participants of the Ministry’s commitment to the effective implementation of legislation for the efficient and progressive preservation and management of the wildlife resources of Ghana, in the spirit of transparency, anchored on integrity and utmost good faith, for the benefit of the Ghanaian people.
Mr. Albert K. Agyapong, a member of the Taylor Crabbe Law Firm in a detailed presentation on the Overview of the wildlife Resources Management Act and Opportunities for proposed legislative Instrument (Li for CREMA establishment, etc) explained some new provisions including penalties, provisions relating to international conventions,management of wildlife outside protected Areas among others.
During an open forum session, Participants discussed and provided inputs and recommendations on the proposed legislation.
On his part, the Technical Director for Forestry with the Ministry, Mr. Joseph Osiakwan assured that feedback gathered from stakeholders will be well implemented.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
