The Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC) is recognized internationally as a leader in the fields of climate change, community conservation and rural ecotourism development. NCRC’s initiatives have facilitated sustainable economic development in many rural areas of Ghana and other countries of West Africa and the Horn of Africa.
NCRC’s work has demonstrated that traditional communities can lead highly successful conservation initiatives
NCRC’s work has demonstrated that traditional communities can achieve highly successful economic life.
NCRC has entered its 3rd decade of work. The organization has grown rapidly over its first two decades to its current position as a leading conservation organization in Ghana and an important environmental group engaging across Africa. As a result of its 1st decade of activities, the Centre was recognized by the Government of Ghana and international partners as a key actor in the development of rural ecotourism and community protected areas in Ghana. NCRC’s community tourism model was articulated in the national policy as the Government’s preferred approach to the development of rural tourism and has been acknowledged globally as a successful rural tourism initiative. The Centre’s work in rural ecotourism has also been instrumental in the establishment of the first private sector luxury safari lodge company in West Africa – Zaina Lodge.
John J. Mason is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC) – a leading African conservation NGO based in Accra, Ghana. Born and raised in Nigeria, Mason has been based in Ghana for 32 years and is regarded as one of the leading voices for local community participation in conservation initiatives in West Africa.
Dr. Rebecca Ashley Asare is the Director of Programs and Research at Nature Conservation Research Centre in Accra, Ghana. Rebecca is a continental thought-leader on REDD+ and climate-smart agriculture (CSA), an expert on cocoa farming systems and directs socio-ecological research on forest-agricultural landscapes.
Charles Bandari has been through the position of Accounts/Admin clerk and rose to the position of Finance officer of Nature Conservation Research-NCRC since its inception. He has handled the financial structuring and accounting and reporting on all of its many projects – large and small.
