Case Studies

Wechiau is an isolated area in northwest Ghana, on the Black Volta river some 800 kilometres (500 miles) from the coast and contains one of Ghana’s two hippo sanctuaries. In 1990, the Wechiau community began to experience a conflict between humans and animals who share an ecosystem – something which has been happening increasingly often. The hippos were destroying farmers' crops and fishermen's nets and some people resorted to hunting the hippos in order to protect their livelihoods. The hippos were suffering as well due to loss of habitat and the increasing contact with the human population. Conservationists attempted to have the area declared protected but local tribal leaders feared that government interference would cause more problems than it would solve.

In the end, a unique decision was made to create a community-run hippo reserve. This would help to reduce the conflict between hippos and humans and create a basis for ecotourism which would help to boost the local economy. Seven years after the problem was first identified, the Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC) – a non-governmental, Ghana based organisation – helped to create the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary.

Ecological and economic improvements

While the hippos were an easily-observable species in the sanctuary, the area was also rich in unstudied biodiversity. In 2000, NCRC invited Earthwatch to start a research programme to collect ecological data which could help manage the sanctuary for the benefit of its wildlife and indigenous peoples. Under Investing in Nature, Earthwatch was able to continue to fund this research project and provide volunteers to help run it, beginning in 2002. In addition to researching the biodiversity of the sanctuary, Earthwatch helped to develop Wechiau’s ecotourism. After building visitor accommodation, the sanctuary has made a profit of around US$30,000 – more than enough to offset the running of the sanctuary. Further developments have encouraged other species to return to the area, including elephants and lions.

The ecological benefits are undeniable, but the benefits to humans have been important as well. Fifteen direct and ten indirect jobs were created by the sanctuary. There is now an opportunity for women to earn income by selling handicrafts and all 17 Wechiau villages now have access to clean water – previously, only two villages had clean water. Solar lighting is also being installed throughout the villages and the roads have been improved. The lives of the people and of the hippos have been significantly improved, largely thanks to the community members themselves. There was trepidation about putting such an important project in the hands of community leaders, but the success of the project is a recommendation to future endeavours.

HSBC volunteers

The community played a vital part in helping to change this potentially disastrous situation, however they were aided by Earthwatch, other non-governmental organisations and volunteers. As part of the Investing in Nature programme, HSBC funded more than 20 of its employees to volunteer on the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary project. One employee found the experience ‘life-changing’ and used the lessons learned in Wechiau to develop a park in East London using local resources and consulting the local community.