IPSI Collaborative Activity Proposal Form
The following form is for use when submitting proposed IPSI Collaborative Activities for consideration by the IPSISteering Committee. See the Collaborative Activity Guidelines on p. 3 for more information.
Please return the completed form to the IPSI Secretariat (isi@unu.edu).
IPSI Collaborative Activities are the activities that shall be undertaken by more than one IPSI member
and constitute an important part of IPSI activities with the purpose of fostering collaboration within theIPSI membership and implementing the IPSI Strategy and Plan of Action. The IPSI CollaborativeActivities shall be developed and implemented with the endorsement of the Steering Committee inaccordance with the Collaborative Activity Guidelines. Resource mobilization for IPSI collaborative
activities shall be the responsibility of the implementing members in principle. – IPSI Operational
Guidelines, Chapter 5.4
Date of Application:

17th August, 2017

Project title:
Enhancing the knowledge and adoption of IPSI protocols by district assemblies governing the Kakum
Conservation Area
Collaborating organizations (IPSI members):（*Please underline the leading organization)
Conservation Alliance International
ARocha Ghana
National Biodiversity CommitteeOther contributing organization(s) (including IPSI non-members):
Biodiversity Heritage Associates Africa
Expected term (e.g. 1 January 2014 – 31 December 2015):
1st June, 2017- 1st June, 2018
IPSI strategic objective(s) addressed (tick all that apply; see p. 3 for more details):
XX

1. Increase knowledge and understanding of SEPLS
2. Address direct and underlying causes responsible for the decline or loss of SEPLS
3. Enhance benefits from SEPLS
4. Enhance human, institutional and sustainable financial capacities

Continued on next page.

1

Description of the activity:
Please provide as much information as possible on: Background Activities (including site locations if applicable)
 Expected outcomes Actors and task sharing
 How the activity relates to the IPSI Strategy and IPSI Plan of Action
 Resources, funding Monitoring and reporting
Background
Ghana has a decentralized governance system. The district assemblies are responsible for local governanceactivities. The Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) falls under the jurisdiction of the Upper and Lower Denkyira
districts in the central region of Ghana. These districts implement or enforce central government laws and byelaws to ensure the sustainability of the KCA and other relevant natural resources. This is aimed at addressing thethreats that affects the continual existence of the KCA. One major weakness identified among personnel of thedistricts is the lack of understanding and knowledge on laws, and also best practices governing natural resourcemanagement. Additionally, the sustainable use of natural resources has not been a topical issue of discussion due
to the limited attention and relevance it is awarded. This has led to limited interest, and sometimes a weak regimeof management that leads to unsustainable use of natural resources within the area. Though there have been
series of activities at the communities’ level aimed at conserving natural resources, there has been limited
attention to socio-political custodians of these natural resources. The project is developed on the premise that,ensuring sustainable management of resources within and outside the KCA, requires active involvement of thepolicy makers.
Activities
The project will be implement the following objectives
1. Assess knowledge levels of district officials in natural resource governance; this objective seeks to assess
the level of understanding of the policy makers within the districts. Based on this assessment, a capacity
building program in addition to the knowledge transfer on IPSI will be developed.
2. Build capacities of relevant district officials on IPSI strategies and plan of action; this objective will be
the avenue to strengthen capacities of district assembly officials and other relevant actors on laws,programs, practices and policies essential for natural resource management within the KCA. Workshops
and field visits will constitute the main modes of the capacity building.
3. Enhance publicity of IPSI among relevant actors including community based organizations; the projectwill also institute measures that will lead to increased awareness of the IPSI program. These will include
project publications, project bill board and souvenirs that will acknowledge IPSI support.
Expected Outcomes
1. Improved capacities for policy makers on natural resources conservation; the district officials are thedecision makers for development within the KCA and environs. Hence improved understanding andskills in biodiversity conservation and natural management issues will enhance effective
implementation of conservation practices and efforts within the KCA and fringing communities.
2. Increased awareness and adoption of the IPSI strategy and actions plan- this will be inculcated in
district development plans for implementation, and thus IPSI will contribute to the larger context ofnatural resources conservation in KCA
2

Actors and Tasks sharing
1. Conservation Alliance (CA)- CA will be responsible for managing project, stakeholder consultations andrelations. CA will support in the capacity building activities.
2. A Rocha Ghana (AG)- AG will be responsible for developing training/capacity building program
3. National Biodiversity Committee (NBC), will liaise with government agencies to incorporate biodiversity
into programs
4. Biodiversity Heritage Associates Africa (BHA)- BHA will conduct the knowledge assessment and lead incapacity building activities.
Resources
The project team will be utilizing internally generated funds for the implementation of the project. Additionally,
the project team will leverage on its ongoing activities within the project landscape. This will reduce project cost
while, ensuring maximum impact at a lower cost.

How the activity relates to the IPSI Strategy and IPSI Plan of Action
A major limiting factor to successful conservation and natural resources management plans in Ghana is adequate
understanding, and knowledge, of the subject matter among policy makers. If policy makers understood andconsidered it very relevant, it will be manifest in key policy and development actions. The project seeks to address
the threats and drivers of biodiversity loss starting with policy makers at the local level. These tie in with the IPSI
strategy which seeks to (among others) that seeks to address drivers of biodiversity loss and cultural diversity,enhance benefits from socio-ecological landscapes, and also enhance knowledge of social-ecological landscapes.
The project seeks to expose local policy makers (particularly those at the districts) to biodiversity conservation
practices, enhance their knowledge on biodiversity loss drivers.
Monitoring and Reporting
Our monitoring will be preceded by the development of a monitoring protocol which will focus on key indicatorsthat will determine the success or otherwise of the project. The monitoring team will involve both the project
team and the district assemblies’ representatives.
The team will provide reports after every six months after implementation. This will provide updates tostakeholders on progress, outputs and challenges with corrected measures3