Mole National Park (MNP) is the largest protected area in Ghana and an important flyway for the Afro-Palearctic migratory birds which use the East Atlantic Flyway. Thirty-three communities, with a population of over 40,000 fringe the Park, and are directly and indirectly dependent on its natural resources for their livelihoods.

However, the Park does not have a natural buffer, just like all other protected areas in Ghana, making illegal exploitation of the flora and fauna resources by the fringe communities a commonplace. To help curb this, the park uses the Community Resources Management Areas (CREMAs), a mechanism recognized under the wildlife laws of Ghana as “social” buffers to support protected areas management. Physically, a CREMA is a geographically delineated area, where one or more communities have come together and agreed to manage their natural resources sustainably. Institutionally, it is a community-based organization that is built on existing decision-making structures, with an executive body, a constitution, and bye-laws to guide its activities.

Currently, the MNP has formed 10 CREMAs around it with the support of NGOs and other development partners. This covers about 90% of the total perimeter of the park, with a small but critical gap remaining. The remaining gap is critical because the three communities located there are sandwiched between the MNP and another reserve, the Kenikeni Forest Reserve. Due to their unique location and circumstances, the three (3) communities have in the past been averse to any decision to setup a CREMA. However, through sustained education and awareness creation by Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS) and the Wildlife Division (WD) these communities are now pushing for CREMAs to be established in their area.

The ERF project aim to leverage on this newfound goodwill and establish a CREMA among this three (3) unique communities and use it as an entry point to restore some degraded areas in the Kenikeni Forest Reserve and surrounding areas.