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/