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Gatekeeping Access: Shea Land Formalization and the Distribution of Market-Based Conservation Benefits in Ghana’s CREMA

Author

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  • Mengina Gilli

    (Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
    Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Center da Capricorns, 7433 Wergenstein, Switzerland)

  • Muriel Côte

    (Department of Human Geography, Lund University, Sölvegatan 10, 223 62 Lund, Sweden)

  • Gretchen Walters

    (Global Forest Program, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
    Department of Anthropology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
    Faculté de Géosciences et Environnement, Institut de Géographie et Durabilité, Université de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

Abstract

Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) in Ghana combine conservation and development objectives and were introduced in the year 2000. In some cases, they have connected collectors of shea ( Vitellaria paradoxa ) nuts with certified organic world markets, which can be understood as a ‘market-based’ approach to conservation. This paper examines how the benefits of this approach are distributed and argues that shea land formalization is crucial to this process. It makes this argument by drawing on interviews within two communities bordering Mole National Park. One community accepted to engage with, and benefitted from this approach, while the other did not. The paper analyzes narratives from different actors involved regarding why and how the market-based approach was accepted or rejected. It shows that, contrary to the neoliberal principles that underlie market-based conservation, a utility maximization rationale did not predominantly influence the (non-)engagement with this conservation approach. Instead, it was the history of land relations between communities and the state that influenced the decisions of the communities. We highlight the role of traditional authorities and NGOs brokering this process and unpack who in the communities profited and who was left out from benefits from this market-based conservation initiative.

Suggested Citation

  • Mengina Gilli & Muriel Côte & Gretchen Walters, 2020. "Gatekeeping Access: Shea Land Formalization and the Distribution of Market-Based Conservation Benefits in Ghana’s CREMA," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:9:y:2020:i:10:p:359-:d:421242
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Prince Osei-Wusu Adjei & Frank Kwaku Agyei & Joyce Osei Adjei, 2020. "Decentralized forest governance and community representation outcomes: analysis of the modified taungya system in Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 1187-1209, February.
    2. repec:bla:devpol:v:28:y:2010:i:2:p:173-194 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Agrawal, Arun & Gibson, Clark C., 1999. "Enchantment and Disenchantment: The Role of Community in Natural Resource Conservation," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 629-649, April.
    4. Blaikie, Piers, 2006. "Is Small Really Beautiful? Community-based Natural Resource Management in Malawi and Botswana," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 34(11), pages 1942-1957, November.
    5. Andrew Wardell, D. & Lund, Christian, 2006. "Governing Access to Forests in Northern Ghana: Micro-Politics and the Rents of Non-Enforcement," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 34(11), pages 1887-1906, November.
    6. James Omoding & Gretchen Walters & Edward Andama & Salete Carvalho & Julien Colomer & Marina Cracco & Gerald Eilu & Gaster Kiyingi & Chetan Kumar & Council Dickson Langoya & Barbara Nakangu Bugembe & , 2020. "Analysing and Applying Stakeholder Perceptions to Improve Protected Area Governance in Ugandan Conservation Landscapes," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-25, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chaudhry Ghafran & Sofia Yasmin, 2025. "Participation Strategies and Ethical Considerations in NGO Led Community-Based Conservation Initiatives," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 196(3), pages 659-675, January.
    2. van der Haar, S. & Gallagher, E.J. & Schoneveld, G.C. & Slingerland, M.A. & Leeuwis, C., 2023. "Climate-smart cocoa in forest landscapes: Lessons from institutional innovations in Ghana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).

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