Community-based conservation in Ghana: A case of local management of the afadjato and agumatsa conservation area in Ghana

This Chapter analyses how people living in the Afadjato and Agumatsa Conservation Area, a globally Important Bird Area, can effectively be involved to attain conservation objectives initiated by local people under the Afadjato-Agumatsa Community Forest Conservation Project (AACFCP). Consequently, I assessed the perceptions and attitudes of local people towards conservation vis-à-vis the importance of the site to local people, the role of the people living in the surrounding villages in the conservation of the site, and the expectations of local people in terms of benefits. Individual interviews using semi-structured questionnaires and group discussions were held to collect information on local people's perceptions and attitudes in five major villages. The results were analysed using a logistic regression model, which showed that local perceptions and expectations varied significantly among villages and was highly dependent on where people lived. However, there were generally very high expectations of benefits and this could be a recipe for disappointment by local people, which could in turn, lead to withdrawal of local support for conservation. Hence, it is important for local people to be involved in all aspects of management for them to understand what can and cannot be achieved, thereby, ensuring their support under various conditions. Finally, a carefully planned management strategy that outlines full participation of local people will enhance the conservation of the natural resource of the area, with a possible spill-over into adjoining communities in the Hohoe District of Ghana.