Abstract:
There are over 40 CREMAs at various developmental levels in Ghana based on
existing records, which portray varying outcomes in terms of their intended
purpose, yielding some uncertainties about sustainability of CREMAs in the
country, with Adwenaase CREMA in focus. This thesis sought to assess the
sustainability of Adwenase CREMA based on ecological/environmental,
economic, and the socio-cultural dimensions. The assessment seeks to inform
actions towards making CREMAs resilient and sustainable. The study
communities were Assin Akropong, Subinso No.1 and Agyalo, all in the Assin
Foso Municipality in the Central region. Both structured and open-ended
interview schedule were employed. A total of eight hundred and fourteen (814)
were reached in the selected communities to persons 18 years of age and above.
The 13 open-ended interview schedules targeted the reserve management team,
the local opinion leaders and the management of the Forestry Commission, Assin
Central Municipality. The hypotheses that “there exists significant positive
economic impact of CREMAs on indigenous communities”, “there is a significant
positive trend of resource condition in the Adwenase Community Resource
Area”, “there is a significant positive ecological/environmental impact of
indigenous communities on CREMAs”, and “there is a significant economic
impact of CREMAs on indigenous communities” are all rejected. Thorough
media drives are required to create community alertness on forest resource
conservation missions; CREMAs should be developed into tangible employment
and income generating opportunities for indigenous communities.
