17 research outputs found
Community engagement in landscape governance and prospects for operationalising integrated landscape approaches in northern Ghana
No full textSeveral approaches such as community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) have been promoted to reconcile the preservation of natural ecosystems and the use of their socioeconomic advantages. In the face of mixed results, integrated landscape approaches (ILAs) have emerged to conserve ecosystems and biodiversity while promoting participatory and inclusive resource governance and sustainable local development. Yet, there is still a limited understanding of how ILAs should be operationalised in practice. Using an exploratory sequential mixed method and single case study research design, this research aimed to generate insight into the prospects for operationalising ILAs in northern Ghana. Focusing on landscape governance through community resource management areas (CREMAs), it analyses the opportunities and challenges of implementing ILAs in the Western Wildlife Corridor (WWC). In this regard, it first focuses on stakeholders’ perceptions of landscape governance problems and potential solutions, identifying common concern entry points for ILAs implementation. Second, it analyses land-use conflicts, especially conflicts between farmers and Fulani pastoralists, emphasising the potential of ILAs in resolving such deep-rooted land-use conflicts. Third, the thesis analyses the inclusion of local stakeholders in the CREMA landscape governance. Lastly, it focuses on the negotiation of trade-offs within multistakeholder platforms, analysing factors that influence deliberations.Despite persistent conflicts, power imbalances, and weak governance structures, this thesis identified several prospects for the operationalisation of ILAs such as plurality and diversity of stakeholders engaged in the WWC governance, shared perceptions of problems and solutions, collaboration among stakeholders, and their willingness to engage in a multistakeholder process
Community engagement in landscape governance and prospects for operationalising integrated landscape approaches in northern Ghana
No full textSeveral approaches such as community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) have been promoted to reconcile the preservation of natural ecosystems and the use of their socioeconomic advantages. In the face of mixed results, integrated landscape approaches (ILAs) have emerged to conserve ecosystems and biodiversity while promoting participatory and inclusive resource governance and sustainable local development. Yet, there is still a limited understanding of how ILAs should be operationalised in practice. Using an exploratory sequential mixed method and single case study research design, this research aimed to generate insight into the prospects for operationalising ILAs in northern Ghana. Focusing on landscape governance through community resource management areas (CREMAs), it analyses the opportunities and challenges of implementing ILAs in the Western Wildlife Corridor (WWC). In this regard, it first focuses on stakeholders’ perceptions of landscape governance problems and potential solutions, identifying common concern entry points for ILAs implementation. Second, it analyses land-use conflicts, especially conflicts between farmers and Fulani pastoralists, emphasising the potential of ILAs in resolving such deep-rooted land-use conflicts. Third, the thesis analyses the inclusion of local stakeholders in the CREMA landscape governance. Lastly, it focuses on the negotiation of trade-offs within multistakeholder platforms, analysing factors that influence deliberations.Despite persistent conflicts, power imbalances, and weak governance structures, this thesis identified several prospects for the operationalisation of ILAs such as plurality and diversity of stakeholders engaged in the WWC governance, shared perceptions of problems and solutions, collaboration among stakeholders, and their willingness to engage in a multistakeholder process
Stakeholder Perceptions on Landscape Governance in Northern Ghana: A Q-Study to Identify Common Concern Entry Points for Integrated Landscape Approaches
No full textIn a landscape, perceptions can influence people’s actions and behavior toward natural resource use. Improving landscape governance, therefore, requires understanding the different concerns of stakeholders operating within the landscape. This paper analyzes the perceptions of local stakeholders—local landscape users, practitioners engaged in conservation and sustainable resource use, and private actors—regarding the landscape governance system, using the Q-methodology to identify common concern entry points for the implementation of a landscape approach in the Western Wildlife Corridor (WWC) in northern Ghana. To this end, individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with local communities and organizations operating in three Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs). They identified destructive livelihood activities, constrained livelihoods, and a weak governance system as the main challenges, and the need to balance livelihoods with conservation, strengthening landscape governance through the CREMA initiative, and awareness raising as the main solutions. Thus, the Q-method allowed identifying common concern entry points regarding landscape challenges, governance issues, and potential solutions. I argue that consensus among stakeholders regarding these challenges and solutions could lay the groundwork for a multi-stakeholder process in the area, which could help foster the implementation of an integrated landscape approach in the WWC landscape. It is crucial to support the livelihoods of local people to reduce pressures on natural resources. It is also important to strengthen the functioning of local CREMA management bodies with technical, logistical, and financial support. Implementing a participatory monitoring and evaluation mechanism is critical in this regard.<br/
Stakeholder Perceptions on Landscape Governance in Northern Ghana: A Q-Study to Identify Common Concern Entry Points for Integrated Landscape Approaches
No full textIn a landscape, perceptions can influence people’s actions and behavior toward natural resource use. Improving landscape governance, therefore, requires understanding the different concerns of stakeholders operating within the landscape. This paper analyzes the perceptions of local stakeholders—local landscape users, practitioners engaged in conservation and sustainable resource use, and private actors—regarding the landscape governance system, using the Q-methodology to identify common concern entry points for the implementation of a landscape approach in the Western Wildlife Corridor (WWC) in northern Ghana. To this end, individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with local communities and organizations operating in three Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs). They identified destructive livelihood activities, constrained livelihoods, and a weak governance system as the main challenges, and the need to balance livelihoods with conservation, strengthening landscape governance through the CREMA initiative, and awareness raising as the main solutions. Thus, the Q-method allowed identifying common concern entry points regarding landscape challenges, governance issues, and potential solutions. I argue that consensus among stakeholders regarding these challenges and solutions could lay the groundwork for a multi-stakeholder process in the area, which could help foster the implementation of an integrated landscape approach in the WWC landscape. It is crucial to support the livelihoods of local people to reduce pressures on natural resources. It is also important to strengthen the functioning of local CREMA management bodies with technical, logistical, and financial support. Implementing a participatory monitoring and evaluation mechanism is critical in this regard
Community engagement in landscape governance and prospects for operationalising integrated landscape approaches in northern Ghana
No full textSeveral approaches such as community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) have been promoted to reconcile the preservation of natural ecosystems and the use of their socioeconomic advantages. In the face of mixed results, integrated landscape approaches (ILAs) have emerged to conserve ecosystems and biodiversity while promoting participatory and inclusive resource governance and sustainable local development. Yet, there is still a limited understanding of how ILAs should be operationalised in practice. Using an exploratory sequential mixed method and single case study research design, this research aimed to generate insight into the prospects for operationalising ILAs in northern Ghana. Focusing on landscape governance through community resource management areas (CREMAs), it analyses the opportunities and challenges of implementing ILAs in the Western Wildlife Corridor (WWC). In this regard, it first focuses on stakeholders’ perceptions of landscape governance problems and potential solutions, identifying common concern entry points for ILAs implementation. Second, it analyses land-use conflicts, especially conflicts between farmers and Fulani pastoralists, emphasising the potential of ILAs in resolving such deep-rooted land-use conflicts. Third, the thesis analyses the inclusion of local stakeholders in the CREMA landscape governance. Lastly, it focuses on the negotiation of trade-offs within multistakeholder platforms, analysing factors that influence deliberations.Despite persistent conflicts, power imbalances, and weak governance structures, this thesis identified several prospects for the operationalisation of ILAs such as plurality and diversity of stakeholders engaged in the WWC governance, shared perceptions of problems and solutions, collaboration among stakeholders, and their willingness to engage in a multistakeholder process
Community engagement in landscape governance and prospects for operationalising integrated landscape approaches in northern Ghana
No full textSeveral approaches such as community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) have been promoted to reconcile the preservation of natural ecosystems and the use of their socioeconomic advantages. In the face of mixed results, integrated landscape approaches (ILAs) have emerged to conserve ecosystems and biodiversity while promoting participatory and inclusive resource governance and sustainable local development. Yet, there is still a limited understanding of how ILAs should be operationalised in practice. Using an exploratory sequential mixed method and single case study research design, this research aimed to generate insight into the prospects for operationalising ILAs in northern Ghana. Focusing on landscape governance through community resource management areas (CREMAs), it analyses the opportunities and challenges of implementing ILAs in the Western Wildlife Corridor (WWC). In this regard, it first focuses on stakeholders’ perceptions of landscape governance problems and potential solutions, identifying common concern entry points for ILAs implementation. Second, it analyses land-use conflicts, especially conflicts between farmers and Fulani pastoralists, emphasising the potential of ILAs in resolving such deep-rooted land-use conflicts. Third, the thesis analyses the inclusion of local stakeholders in the CREMA landscape governance. Lastly, it focuses on the negotiation of trade-offs within multistakeholder platforms, analysing factors that influence deliberations.Despite persistent conflicts, power imbalances, and weak governance structures, this thesis identified several prospects for the operationalisation of ILAs such as plurality and diversity of stakeholders engaged in the WWC governance, shared perceptions of problems and solutions, collaboration among stakeholders, and their willingness to engage in a multistakeholder process
Formative Evaluation of the Behavior Change Components within a Colorado Weatherization Assistance Program
No full textA formative evaluation of behavior change elements of an ongoing Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) offered by the Energy Resource Center (E.R.C.) in Denver, CO was conducted. The WAP as administered by the E.R.C. in Colorado saves residents an average 15% of energy consumption (E.R.C., 2015). However, research suggests that adding behavioral components to WAPs could increase energy savings to 21–26% (Gregory, 1992; APPRAISE, 2002). The goal of this evaluation is to provide recommendations to E.R.C. for program changes using Community Based Social Marketing (CBSM) and Theory of Planned Behavior. The CBSM Step 1- Step 3 is the focus of this formative evaluation. This program evaluation has four components: 1) review of written materials, 2) interviews with staff, 3) surveys mailed to E.R.C. clients and 4) in-home observations conducted with E.R.C. clients. Results of this formative evaluation has 3 sections of behaviors recommended for future intervention high priority, mid priority, and low priority recommendations based on CBSM penetration, probability, and impact factors. Behaviors that are listed as high priority for E.R.C. Behavioral intervention are cold water washing, hang drying, setting back thermostats, and window coverings. Overall increase in staff engagement is also recommended to be pursued. Each staff level is also given recommendations on how to engage in behavior change interventions
Context for landscape approach implementation in the Western Wildlife Corridor Landscape (Northern Ghana)
No full textWest African forest and savannah ecosystems contain important biodiversity that provides numerous goods and services to local people. However, these landscapes are increasingly under enormous anthropogenic pressures, leading to habitat fragmentation and the concomitant loss of biological diversity. Climate change further constrains the conservation of natural resources (Dimobe 2017) and associated challenges of food insecurity and poverty have made the sustainable management of tropical landscapes an urgent priority (Reed et al. 2016; Barlow et al. 2018)
Context for landscape approach implementation in the Western Wildlife Corridor Landscape (Northern Ghana)
No full textFarmer-Fulani pastoralist conflicts in Northern Ghana:are integrated landscape approaches the way forward?
No full textOver the past 20 years, recurrent and violent conflicts between farmers and Fulani pastoralists have persisted in Northern Ghana. These conflicts mainly revolve around access to and utilisation of natural resources such as land and water. Conflicts of interest have led to the social marginalisation of the Fulani community, leading to their exclusion from formal landscape governance processes. This paper explores the prospects for better management of these conflicts and the potential for including Fulani pastoralists in landscape governance through the implementation of integrated landscape approaches. Based on a semi-systematic literature review and key informant interviews, we propose a categorisation of conflicts and potential causes and solutions. The experience of Burkina Faso in managing farmer-herder conflicts is presented to inform lessons for Ghana. We argue that adopting more inclusive landscape approaches, with a particular emphaisis on key principles, could contribute to reconciling diverging interests between farming and herding communities and help mitigate conflicts. This requires that constraints such as the negative and pervasive perceptions towards the Fulani, the neglect of pastoral activity in broader development processes, and the lack of inclusion of Fulani pastoralists in multi-stakeholder platforms and decision-making need to be urgently addressed
