From the 8th to the 12th of April 2024 in Ghana, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and AU-IBAR are collaborating to empower communities within the Dusornu Community Resource Management Area (CREMA). This workshop is part of the ‘Management of Mangroves Forests from Senegal to Benin’ Project, a significant initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by IUCN. The project, spanning from 2019 to 2024, aims to conserve and protect mangrove ecosystems in West Africa, including Ghana.
Within this project, IUCN and AU-IBAR are working together on gender-specific activities, specifically focusing on aquatic biodiversity management in Ghana. Their joint efforts are aimed at enhancing governance structures within the Dusornu CREMA, located in the Anlo-Keta Lagoon Ramsar/Landscape Site.
The main goal of the workshop is to conduct a preliminary socio-economic livelihood needs assessment within the Dusornu CREMA. This assessment, which is sensitive to gender, helps identify and prioritize key livelihood options, ensuring community consensus and empowerment. The workshop aims to:
- Conduct a comprehensive socio-economic livelihood needs assessment through focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
- Identify and prioritize livelihood options endorsed by the community.
- Develop a detailed report documenting the prioritized livelihood options, incorporating inputs, feedback, and recommendations gathered during the workshop.
The workshop involves members of the Community Resource Management Committees (CRMCs), Community Executive Committee (CEC), and representatives from the Dusornu community, including women, men, and youth. Relevant stakeholders are being informed and encouraged to participate in the workshop.
This workshop is a significant step towards community empowerment and sustainable livelihoods within the Dusornu CREMA. By promoting collaboration and participatory decision-making, this initiative signifies a collective commitment to conservation and equitable development in Ghana and aligns with the Africa Blue Economy Strategy.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).