Wenchi, (B/A), Dec. 11, – The
United Nations Development Agency (UNDP) is implementing US$2.7 million dollar
project to mitigate climate change impact in the Black Volta basin by ensuring
that the vegetation cover around the basin in Northern and Brong-Ahafo Regions
is preserved.
The five-year project titled
“community conservation and management practices” is jointly funded by the
Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Government of Ghana (GOG) through the
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD).
It is being implemented in 150
communities around the Bui dam in eight districts in Brong-Ahafo and Northern
Regions – Lawra and Bole-Bamboi Districts in Northern and Banda, Jaman North,
Jaman South, Sunyani West, and Tain Districts in Brong-Ahafo.
The first phase of the project,
according to Dr George Buabin Ortsin, the National Coordinator of the GEF Small
Grants Programme (SGP), started in 2015, and is benefiting eight communities in
the two regions.
Speaking at performance and peer
review workshop on the project at Wenchi in the Brong-Ahafo Region, Dr Ortsin
said climate change impact was well felt in the beneficiary communities-
erratic rainfall, flooding and extreme heat.
It was attended by 36 Civil Society
Organizations (CSO) partnering the UNDP for the successful implementation of
the project in the two regions.
Dr Ortsin said the project was
making huge significant impact in the communities and commended the project
implementing CSOs for their commitment and tasked them to engage the media to
highlights the project.
Under the first phase of the
project, he said 65 small holder farmers had been introduced to10 new
technologies in conservation, energy and livelihood development whilst 1,100
farmers were actively involved in preserving eco-systems and their services.
The project has trained and
equipped 15 squads of fire volunteers across the landscape for fire management
whilst 500 farmers were using improved soil fertility technologies, organic
farming and sustainable land management systems.
In biodiversity conservation, Dr
Ortsin said 584 hectares of savannah forest had been conserved; 10 hectares
natural regeneration created and 50,000 bamboo seedlings had been planted in
the local communities.
The National Coordinator added
that 60 Persons with Disabilities had also been trained and involved in
converting waste plastic into shopping bags and door mats, 150 households and
10 commercial efficient wood fuel stoves constructed.
In addition, 100-bird poultry had
been established and operated by community members, 1,200 beneficiaries are
involved in village savings and credit rotation scheme with operating capital
of US$95,000.00. in addition to 100 women involved in petty trading.
GNA
Pictures show Dr Ortsin, National
Coordinator speaking to participants
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