The Member of Parliament for Bia West, Hon. Amadu Mustapha Tanko, has called on the youth and wider community to take advantage of alternative livelihoods introduced through the Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) and to stay away from illegal mining (galamsey) and drug abuse, especially the use of a substance locally known as “Red.”

Speaking during one of the Annual General Meetings in Yerepemso organized by the Nature and Development Foundation (NDF) under the BRACE Project, the MP commended NDF’s role in empowering local communities to protect natural resources through CREMA structures. He recognized the Foundation’s efforts not only in Bia West District but across the Western North Region in supporting the sustainable management of forests and the extractive sector.

Hon. Tanko encouraged local stakeholders, especially traditional leaders, youth groups, and civil society organizations, to collaborate and support CREMA activities. He stressed the need for collective action to safeguard the region’s forests, rivers, and biodiversity for future generations.

The Yerepemso meeting marked the beginning of 13 Annual General Meetings successfully organized by NDF across three CREMAs , Asuobia Nkyirima and River Asuo Pri in the Western North and Achichire Sureso Pebaseman CREMA in the Western region under the BRACE Project. The meetings engaged over 800 participants from multiple communities, focusing on local governance, sustainable natural resource management, and building a shared understanding of CREMA roles.

These meetings have significantly strengthened the capacity of CREMA structures, empowering them to lead bottom-up conservation efforts and promote sustainable development and inclusivity in their respective communities.

The BRACE Project funded by the European Union, with A Rocha Ghana as a lead implementing partner with NDF and Wacam, continues to engage communities across multiple CREMAs to strengthen governance, build conservation knowledge, and support sustainable natural resource use.