Problem and rationale
The Bandai GSBA is a rapidly degrading environment, and will almost certainly have a more significant impact on the climate of its environs than in situations where the forest and the surroundings are more similar. A significant portion of the reserve?s vegetation is burnt although patches exist and it is the home of one of the rare and endemic black star species in Ghana that is Talbotiella gentii which is confined to the driest hilly and rocky forest types. Threats and challenges to maintenance the reserve?s ecological integrity include annual ravages of wildfires, farming activities, illegal chainsaw operations, limited capacity of local communities, inadequate local community participation in forest management and limited knowledge of the importance of the forest. Since the area experiences outbreak of wildfires annually, the reserve cover is incrementally being degraded. The presence of steep hills and the steep scarps in the reserve denuded of vegetation for a long period of time leaves the reserve and the associated GSBA susceptible to continuous degradation. In addition, there are large areas of exposed rocks.
The area has a significant impact on the surrounding environment and serves as a watershed to Onyim and Afram Rivers which serve as a source of drinking water for the local communities. The rarity and fragility of the reserve, especially in terms of its harbouring of the endangered endemic species of Talbotiella gentii and as a watershed for rivers of local importance is critical for sustainable development at the national and local levels. It is certain that these attributes of the reserve cannot be replaced once destroyed. The environmental benefits derived from the forest are well appreciated by the fringe communities and thus need to be sustained and enhanced. The rarity, ecological uniqueness, and fragility of the serve constitute good reasons for keeping the forest intact. Having been designated a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area, the reserve needs to be better managed so as to improve the conservation status of the entire habitat and the species of special conservation interest. Such an area therefore requires appropriate conservation attention to address the biodiversity conservation needs.

Project Objective
The main objective of the project activities is to strengthen the capacities and create awareness of fringe communities to support biodiversity conservation within the Bandai GSBA. Specifically, the project objectives are:
i. to enhance conservation of biological resources and ecological integrity of the reserve;
ii. to establish and strengthen capacity of community-based forest management structures;
iii. to promote education and awareness campaign in fringe communities
iv. to promote sustainable income livelihoods for forest fringe communities.

Description of Project Activities
Output 1.0 Enhance conservation of biological resources and ecological integrity of the reserve

Activity 1.1 Undertake diagnostic studies and map distribution of priority species to support monitoring and research activities
Flora surveys will be conducted to identify endemic, rare and endangered species and their distribution in the reserve including major habitats types. Biodiversity and GIS experts from RMSC of Forestry Commission will be contracted to carry out the exercise. Experts would be employed to embark on ecological/biological survey to update information on the number and type of flora of the area as well as habitat zonation. A variety of damaging human activities (including farm encroachment, harvesting, etc.) that currently threaten the species and its habitats will be recorded. The relative impact of each threat to the species/habitat will be a function of the component of the forest that it impacts (e.g. more or less threatened components), the intensity of the threat and its geographical spread. Encounters of threats and signs of human use, vegetation observations shall be recorded using hand held GPS. A draft document detailing the type, abundance of flora and their distribution will be produced. The activity will be within first 3-months (first quarter) after project approval and release of funds.

Activity 1.2 Undertake boundary planting along reserve external boundary
Most forest reserves in Ghana are surrounded by cropland. This sharp environmental contrast has led to encroachment of forest reserves through the extension of adjacent farms. Most forest reserve are not well defined on the ground and therefore contributed to an increase in encroachment. To secure the boundaries of the GSBA, teak seedlings will be procured from recognized sources and planted along the external boundaries of the reserve. The exercise will be carried jointly by FSD, local communities and project implementing organization. This will be executed within six months (Q1 and Q2) after project approval and release of funds.

Activity 1.3 Facilitate creation of buffer zone along external boundary to enhance biodiversity conservation
Most protected exist as ecological islands surrounded by sea of predominantly agricultural land users. Consultations will be held with land users to introduce agroforestry systems involving fruit trees to enhance tree cover in agricultural landscapes. The activity shall be implemented within a radius of 50meters from the reserve external boundary and encompass farms within this catchment area. Experts from MOFA and FSD will be engaged to educate and provide seedlings for farmers within the buffer zone. Three to nine months of project commencement.

Activity 1.4 Erect sign post along reserve external boundary
Six customized sign posts indicating the extent and boundaries of the reserve will be designed and purchased. Sign post will be erected at strategic location along external boundary based on level of threat and vulnerability. This will be done in consultations with FSD and community focal persons. Sign posts are expected to be erected within six months of project implementation.

Output 2.0 Establish and strengthen capacity of community-based forest management structures
Activity 2.1 Form and re-activate redundant forest-based community management structures.
Community participation in forest management is increasing accepted as a sustainable approach to forest management and biodiversity conservation. Community Biodiversity Advisory Groups (CBAGs) will be formed and where they are redundant will be re-activated in identified GSBA fringe communities. Groups will be established in 15 fringe communities within 5-km radius from reserve boundary. Selection of CBAG members will be done in consultation with FSD and local communities to ownership and sustainability. It will however be spearheaded by FSD and opinion leaders within communities. To be initiated and completed within 8months months of project commencement.

Activity 2.2 Build capacity of established structures or groups to support forest protection and biodiversity conservation.
Capacity of the new established Community Biodiversity Advisory Groups (CBAGs) will be strengthened through training needs assessment and development of training manuals/guidelines. Two day training sessions in the form of workshops/seminars will be organized for 50 CBAG members from the various catchment communities. Training will be organized central location and most probably at Begoro where the district forestry office is located. Resource persons for the training sessions will be from Forest Service Division and implementing organization. The activity will be rolled out and completed within the fourth quarter after project approval.

Activity 2.3 Organize training for admitted farmers in forest reserve on sustainable agricultural practices
Background information on admitted farms admitted farms, farming systems; challenges and owners will be collated to help identify priority issues training. As follow to the background information, training sessions on adaptive farming practices for the admitted farmers operating in the reserve will be organized with aim to increase productivity. Theoretical sessions will be complemented with field demonstrations visit for the farmers. Training will be organized in a central location among the communities. Personnel from MOFA district office will be engaged to provide training and materials. The aim is to build relationship between farmers and MOFA so as to ensure continued technical backstopping beyond the project implementation phase. The activity will be organized fourth quarter months after project approval.
Output 3.0 Promote education and awareness campaign in fringe communities
Activity 3.1 Undertake awareness campaigns in 15 communities and 5 schools in the Begoro forest district
To improve knowledge of local communities on the importance of forest protect and biodiversity conservation, community durbars and schools outreach organize in 15 fringe communities within 5-km from the boundaries of the GSBA. Awareness campaigns will target opinion leaders, chiefs, community members, schools, etc.. Mode of communication will be local dialect of the communities to facilitate easy understanding of the message. The educational programmes will be implemented in collaboration with FSD, MOFA and local communities four months after commencement of the project

Activity 3.2 Educate farmers not to farm close to forest reserve boundaries as the shade may affect crop yields
Mobilize and organize a special awareness session for those community members farming very close to the reserve boundary on the implications of their activities on crop productivity. The awareness programme will be carried out jointly with extension officers from MOFA and FSD. The exercise will be carried out third quarter after commencement of project.

Activity 3.3 Produce and distribute educational materials on biodiversity conservation
Educational materials including publicity and promotional (e.g. posters, brochures, flyers, T-shirts, etc.) will be developed and distributed during the community durbars, school outreach, etc. A suite of conservation education materials that increase awareness of global importance of the GSBA, species and threats to their habitats and encourage sustainable behaviour, targeting farmers, herdsmen, charcoal producers whose activities directly impact on the species/habitats and in and various schools. We will also share information, educate and disseminate information on the species through oral presentations, publications, electronic and print media etc. This will be done first and second quarter after commencement of project.

Output 4.0 Promote sustainable income livelihoods for forest fringe communities
Activity 4.1 Review economic activities and assess potential livelihoods within project area
A socio-economic study will be conducted to assess and provide a profile of economics engaged in by community members. Based on consultations with various stakeholders including community members, MOFA and Business Advisory Center (BAC) of the District Assembly, a list of potential livelihood activities will be generated for implementation by the project. Further consultations will be held with community members to select which of the enterprises they are interested in undertaking. Selection of enterprises will be gendered sensitive and responsive

Activity 4.2 Develop modalities for livelihood implementation
To ensure livelihood implementation is effectively, modalities will be prepared to guide training and implementation. In view of the technical and management of the enterprises, experts from MOFA and Business Advisory Center (BAC) of the District Assembly will be contracted to develop the modalities for the successful implementation of suitably identified livelihood enterprises for forest fringe communities. Preparation and publication will be done quarter.
Activity

4.3 Mobilize and train beneficiaries in selected livelihood enterprises
Various livelihood groups identified and formed will be mobilized and trained on technical and management aspect of their enterprises. Resource persons for capacity building will mostly be drawn from MOFA, BAC and FSD at local level. The strategy is to ensure that such local expertise and partnership developed among the community members will be sustained beyond the project life cycle. Knowledge and skills acquired by communities is expected to translate into a successful implementation of the livelihood. This will be undertaken in the fourth quarter

Activity 4.4 Provide input for livelihood implementation
The project will support livelihood groups with inputs required to kick start or improve the enterprise. The objective of the livelihood programme is to diversify income sources and to create employment opportunities for the catchment communities reduce level of dependence on the forest resources. Enterprises such as bee keeping, ruminants rearing, soap making, bread baking and trading among others will be explored and rolled out in line with the modalities.