Community-Based Natural Resource Management And Livelihood Improvement: The Case Of Amansuri Conservation And Integrated Development Project (Acid) In Jomoro District In Ghana

ABSTRACT

The environment has since time immemorial been useful to human

beings. However, demands of development have put a great deal of pressure

on the environment to the point that it is undergoing rapid transformation

which conservationists consider an unpleasant phenomenon to human beings.

The estab,lishrnent of protected areas (PAs) became, and is, in fact, stiU

an important global pmctical conservation tool. PAs exclude livelihood

activities because they are incompatible with the conservation objectives of

PAs. Although 'waUs' are erected around PAs, the environment continues to

experience transformation by way of dwindling biodiversity.

Consequently, Community-Based Natural Resource Management

(CBNRM) emerged in the 1980s.As an approach to conservation, it advocates

the integration of conservation and development. Amansuri Conservation and

Integrated Development (ACID) project which is being implemented by the

Ghana Wildlife Society in partnership with the Western Nzema Traditional

Council in the Jomoro District of the Western Region of Ghana, is guided by

the philosophy ofCBNRM

Guided by the sustainable livelihood framework, a qualitative research, .

design was used to ascertain the extent to which the ACID project had

impacted on the livelihood assets of local residents. Results from the study

show that though the ACID project "has resulted in income generation,

employment opportunities and natural resource conservation, it is playing a

complementary role rather than a principal source of livelihoods in the

communities.

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