JAFE Volume 5, Number 1, 27-35, 2018

Assessment of Capacity Building of Staff in Biodiversity Conservation of a Protected Area: Case Study of Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove

Oyeleke, O.O. and Ajayi, G.O.

ABSTRACT
The role of manpower in nature conservation cannot be overemphasized. Capacity building for protected area staff is imperative in ensuring effective management of protected area systems. Capacity building assessment for staff in Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove was conducted through questionnaire administration and personal interview. A total of sixty self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the staff of Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and forty-five were retrieved. Results showed the availability of seventy-four personnel in nine (9) departments of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in charge of the management of Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove. Results also revealed that capacity building programs had been in place over time but there was a decline due to inadequate fund to sponsor training programs. A larger percentage (40%) of staff attended training just once after joining the service of Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove. About 58% had gone for national training and the highest number of attendance was once in five years (38%) followed by annual attendance (22%). This study therefore recommends that staff of Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove should be educated on the necessity for capacity building and its importance to their effectiveness and development. Adequate fund should as well be channeled into the Grove to facilitate training programmes. Training should be reinforced through better collaborative efforts with other institutions. Staff should also be committed to training by seeking grants and aids from international organizations.

KEYWORDS:

Assessment, Capacity Building, Management, Protected area, Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove.

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