The first regional consultative meeting of the West African branch of the Indigenous Peoples' and Local Communities' Alliance for Conservation in Africa (AICA) has started. Hosted by Forest Watch Ghana (FWG) and Civic Response, the meeting was coordinated by Petter Osei Owusu, Regional Focal Point for AICA West Africa, and his colleague from the AICA Africa Executive Committee, Mrs. Saoudata Walet Aboubacrine.
Colleagues from AICA Southern Africa, CLN, which hosts the secretariat, and IMPACT, a sister organization and Focal Point for East Africa and a founding member of AICA, also lent a hand to their West African brothers and sisters to ensure the success of this first AICA sub-regional meeting.
Over three days, from September 11 to 13, 2024, in Accra, participants from 16 West African countries discussed their shared passion: the protection of Mother Nature. They also exchanged views on the governance structure of AICA at the global level and agree on a self-organized network for the West African sub-region, which will support the implementation of the Kigali Call to Action of the African Protected Areas Congress (APAC), the APAC Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities (IP&LC) strategy, and the Namibia Community Communiqué.
On the first day, the session began with a traditional blessing of the meeting. This was followed by the singing of the Ghanaian and African Union anthems. Albert Katako, Program Manager of Civic Response, delivered the host’s welcoming remarks, setting the tone for the discussions.
Malidadi Langa, President of AICA, presented the mission, goals, objectives, and achievements of the project. Following him, Professor Alfred Yeboah, President of the West African Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Organization and former Vice President of the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), took the floor. He emphasized the importance of supporting the initiatives of local communities and Indigenous peoples, stating that they are the main guardians of nature, the holders of knowledge on biodiversity, and possess strategies for adapting to climate change and conservation practices. He further noted that these communities face several challenges, including the legacy of colonization, insecurity, instability in many West African countries, and the difficulty of accessing adequate funding.
After his speech, Saoudata Walet Aboubacrine, Secretary-General of Tin Hinan and member of the AICA Executive Committee, opened the debate on the challenges of conservation and possible solutions. The representatives of West African countries eagerly listed their difficulties and made recommendations.
As a reminder, the Indigenous Peoples' and Local Communities' Alliance for Conservation in Africa (AICA), established in 2023, is a pan-African network that brings together networks of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LC). Its aim is to amplify the collective voice and action of Africa's IP&LCs to address common issues related to conservation.
Tin Hinan Sahel Editorial Team
