About Wechiau Community
Hippo Sanctuary.
The Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary CREMA is an example of one of the most successful Community Resource Management Areas (CREMA) in Ghana. It is also referred to as the “Sanctuary” and in terms WCHS CREMA and Sanctuary are used interchangeably. The WCHS CREMA was established in 1998 to protect one of Ghana’s last remaining hippopotamus populations. The WCHS CREMA is composed of riverine forest, floodplain, and Guinea savannah woodland along a 34-kilometer stretch of the Black Volta River. The WCHS CREMA was certified as a Community Resource Management Area in 2010, with governance and management powers devolved to the WCHS CREMA communities to enforce its constitution and bylaws through the CREMA Executive Committee of the CREMA Management Board.
The WCHS CREMA is split into two zones. The 1–2 km wide core zone contains hippopotamus-feeding lawns with the aim of strict protection from human-induced threats of encroachment for farming, bush-burning, hunting, the cutting of plants/trees, vehicle access, and restrictions on fishing, oyster collection, livestock grazing, unsustainable harvesting of shea and locust bean. The adjacent, 5–10 km wide development zone consists of wooded savannah interspersed with 20 CREMA communities (CREMA communities) of about 10,200 inhabitants and farmlands. Communities living within the development zone comprise four ethnic groups, each with distinct languages, namely Wala (known locally as Wechiege), Birifor (or Lobi), Hausa and Dagaabe.
The WCHS CREMA is supported by the WI/CZ (since inception) in partnership with the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Research (CBCR), to ensure the protection of hippos and their habitat as well as livelihood improvement for the 20 CREMA communities.
Bulinche, Dochere, Dodome, Dogberipari, Donpie, Dornye, Gojuyiri, Mwaaleyiri, Kantu, Kpanfa, Pelinkpari, Sigiropuo, Talawona, Tambilijie, Tankara, Teme, Tokali, Toule, Tuudouri and Wechiau.
Mission
Our Mission is to conserve and protect the hippopotamus population and their natural habitat through research, community involvement, education, and sustainable practices. We are dedicated to creating a safe hippo haven and fostering an environment promoting biodiversity and ecological balance.
Vision
Our vision is to establish a world-class community-based hippo sanctuary that serves as a model for wildlife conservation and tourism promotion and community development where hippos thrive in their natural environment. We aim to raise awareness about the importance of preserving these magnificent creatures and their ecosystem, inspiring people, and communities to act for the future of wildlife and the planet.
Our Values
Our Values reflect safety, health, freedom, quality of life, prosperity, living conditions, well-being, human dignity, gender equality and social inclusion for all, and peace and security.
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