Amokwaw (W/R), Sept. 4, GNA - Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Lands and Forestry (MLF), on Wednesday said the use of threats and sophisticated weapons by the Ghana Wildlife Division (GWD) to scare people from utilizing wildlife resources in protected areas have failed to yield results.

Instead, the strategy has rather created hostility between the division and the communities living near the protected areas, he said this at the launching of the Amokwaw Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) at Amokwaw near Ankasa in the Jomoro District in the Western Region.

Under CREMA, communities living along the Ankasa Forest Reserve will be given the authority to control and access the resources on their land and ensure that it is not destroyed.

Prof Fobih said the 1994 Forest and Wildlife Policy, advocated the participation of local people in the management of natural resources as the most viable and sustainable method of checking the decline of forest resources in line with the International Conservation Organisations. CREMA, he said, will also offer opportunities for farmers to integrate land use, reduce poverty and create wealth while ensuring environmental quality.

He however, cautioned the Amokwaw community that the GWD and the MLF would withdraw the management authority from the CREMA Executive Committee (CEC) if it fails to manage the natural resources in accordance with the rules.

He said alternative livelihood projects would be established for communities taking part in the CREMA project. Prof Fobih appealed to conservation organisations and development partners to assist the Amokwaw CREMA to make it a model for other communities to emulate.

Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister said though various environmental policies on forest conservation existed, forest reserves continue to be degraded.

Madam Horner-Sam expressed regret that the destruction of forests has led to the extinction of many important animal species and called for measures to address the problem.

Awulae Annor Adjaye II, Omanhene of Western Nzema spoke against the granting of permits to mining companies to operate in forest reserves This, he said, would deprive many communities of their livelihoods, destroy animal species, and further degrade the environment.