Community-Based Wildlife Guardianship Programmes in Southeastern Ghana: An Examination of Anti-Poaching Efforts on Local Livelihood Security

Community-based wildlife guardianship programmes have been implemented in various parts of Africa to combat poaching and promote coexistence between local communities and wildlife. A comparative study design was employed, involving surveys and interviews with participants from multiple communities across different regions of southeastern Ghana. Data collection methods included structured questionnaires and semi-structured discussions to gather qualitative and quantitative data. The findings indicate that while anti-poaching programmes have significantly reduced poaching incidents by up to 50% in some areas, there is a need for more diversified income sources among community members to mitigate the economic impact of wildlife conservation efforts on their livelihoods. Communities with integrated support systems and alternative livelihood opportunities show greater resilience against negative impacts from wildlife conservation initiatives. Local authorities should prioritise developing additional sustainable livelihood projects alongside anti-poaching measures to ensure long-term community engagement in wildlife protection efforts.