In a fantastic display of community engagement and teamwork, the Avu Lagoon Community
Resource Management Area (CREMA) in collaboration with the Centre for Coastal Management
(CCM), Wildlife Division, Forestry Commission with funding from the Wilder Institute-Calgary
Zoo recently organized its second partnership and stakeholder meeting for this year. This event
brought together representatives from various communities surrounding the Avu Lagoon
Community Protected Area (ALCPA) in Ghana's Volta Region. The primary objective of the
gathering was to share updates on the progress made in 2023 and promote transparency and
communication among stakeholders and supporters. The Avu Lagoon CREMA serves as a
shining example of community led initiatives for sustainable natural resource management and
biodiversity conservation in the region. These partnership and stakeholder meetings play a vital
role in ensuring that the community's efforts align with the needs and expectations of those
living in and around the ALCPA.

The meeting commenced with a warm welcome by the CREMA Vice Chair, Mr. Johnson Amedzo
to an inclusive group of attendees, including community leaders, representatives from non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), government officials, as well as funders who have
generously supported various initiatives undertaken by the Avu Lagoon CREMA. This inclusive
gathering highlighted the collaborative spirit that has been at the core of this community's
conservation endeavors. In addition, Madam Angela Husuke stated in the minutes of the
previous stakeholder meeting held in July 2023, that the last meeting touched mainly on the
site of the sitatunga species, updates from District Members, presentation on 2023 reflections,
budget allocations, etc. She also updated the attendees on the set up of a Facebook page,
presentation of 18 cameras to the management team and training of rangers, among others.
One core challenge raised at the last meeting was bush burning.

Mr. Joshua Adotey, representing the Centre for Coastal Management, in his purpose of
gathering address, indicated that after five (5) months of work, the team has been brought
together to update and be updated on activities undertaken since the last partnership meeting
in July. “Our actions today will determine the kind of Avu lagoon we would like to have
tomorrow”, he stated. He also indicated that the Avu Lagoon website has been set up. It will be
backdated to about 3-4 years to capture every activity that has been undertaken on the project,
and it will be officially launched by the end of the month i.e. November, 2023.

Throughout the meeting, participants were provided with comprehensive updates on all
activities carried out during the year. Ms. Rita Goka-Balokah, Field Project Manager for the Avu
Lagoon project, provided participants with recent updates encompassing a wide range of
initiatives, including habitat restoration, wildlife protection, community education programs
and sustainable livelihoods. She also emphasized their accomplishments, discussed the
challenges they encountered and shared the strategies they employed to overcome obstacles
in pursuit of their conservation goals. She concluded by emphatically stating that, “We want
Avu lagoon to be the Sitatunga Sanctuary, so let us continue to be the change we want to see”.

An important aspect of the meeting was fostering the nomination and election of new board
members as well as an open dialogue and discussion session. Participants engaged in
meaningful conversations about how these initiatives impact local communities, the current
state of biodiversity conservation efforts and each stakeholder's role in ensuring long term
success for Avu Lagoon CREMA.
Significantly, funders gained valuable insights into how their contributions were utilized and
learned about the positive outcomes that resulted from their support. This transparency is
crucial for establishing trust and maintaining a strong partnership between Avu Lagoon CREMA
and its stakeholders.

As the meeting drew to a close, there was a collective sense of achievement and dedication to
advancing sustainable development and conservation in the Avu Lagoon area. The event not
only provided updates but also served as an opportunity for stakeholders to forge stronger
connections based on a shared vision for environmental well-being and community welfare in
the region. To sum up, Avu Lagoon CREMA's second partnership and stakeholder meeting
highlighted how community-driven conservation efforts can make a significant impact. The Avu
Lagoon CREMA is dedicated to preserving the diverse wildlife and enhancing the lives of the
people in Avu by promoting teamwork, transparency and open dialogue.

Read more on eco-tourism and wildlife conservation efforts here: https://wilderinstitute.org/conservation/sitatunga/