On this occasion, the community patrollers were trained in "practical" strategies for combating environmental crime, monitoring the presence and distribution of wildlife, and collecting and documenting data. The training was conducted by staff from the Wildlife Division of the Ghana Forestry Commission, and Mr Clark Lungren from the Wildlife Production Development Centre in Burkina Faso, who led the five-day training.
ENGAGING PATROLLERS AT ALL LEVELS
Mr. Clark Lungren shared his experience in the Nazinga Game Reserve (Burkina Faso), highlighting the need for patrollers to engage in the CREMA process. He indicated that most of the benefits of CREMA patrols can be realised if the patrollers are committed to CREMA and are not otherwise involved in illegal activities. He also shared information on how the landscape can be a resource area for wildlife and strategies to achieve this, such as patrolling, arresting hunters/poachers, securing water points.The wildlife officer, Mr Atarigyia Kojo, then demonstrated some patrolling techniques, first aid and other practical activities.
At the end of the training, participants renewed their commitment to effective patrolling and ORGIIS reported that funding had been secured for the demarcation of the SKGK CREMA core area. The creation of this core area will strengthen sustainable landscape management.
The partnership between Noé and ORGIIS Ghana is expected to promote biodiversity conservation, and the training of community patrollers is an important step in achieving this goal.
