Bio-diversity

The project seeks to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization of semi-arid natural resources for wealth creation and improvement of the health of the people of Fian. Fian is a farming community in the Upper East region of Ghana which is noted for utilzing traditional herbs in the health delivery system of the district especially in bone-setting. Unfortunately the area is prone to annual bushfires which has not only destroyed the medicinal plant and animals but are also leading causes of land degradation in the area. The project will therefore undertake the following field activities: 1. Develop local capacity for sustainable management and utilization of biodiversity in Fian community nad its enviorns. The expected activities to achieve this outcome are weekly environmental awareness creation programme in local dialects on the local FM station to cover the entire region. The project will promote environmental education in 4 communities to develop awareness and attitudinal changes towards the enviornment. The project will form, train and equip Community Natural Resource Management Committee for land management and biodiversity conservation. It will also form, train and equip 120 wildfire prevention and management committees in 4 communities. In collaboration with the local authorities and the District Assembly, indigenous laws and regulations on natural resource management would be reviewed, document and enforced. 2. The project will rehabilitate and restore degraded woodland resources in Fian traditional area. The expected activities for this outcome will include the establishment of 500 ha community natural regeneration sites to be managed by traditional rules and regulations. The project will formulate a participatory landuse plan to guide the community natural regeneration areas. A community tree nursery of 100,000 seedling capacity would be established and manage at Fian. In addition a 40 ha of multipurpose woodlot and fodder bank would be created by the community to improve on the rearing of animals. A dugout would be constructed within the fodder bank to provide all-year round water for animals. With the assistance of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, water harvesting and conservation and soil fertility improvement techniques would be introduced. Farmer would be taught on composting and agro-forestry to enhance biodiversity conservation. . 3. The project will enhance the capacity of traditional health practitioners in delivery, processing and packaging of traditional herbs. The activities to be pursued under this component will include developing the capacities of 60 traditional health practitioners in herbal preparation and administration at St. Jude Herbal Training Centre. Participant would be selected from the 4 communities. The project will assist the St. Jude Herbal Centre to affiliate with the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM) at Mampong Akuapim. 10 traditional health practitioner trainers from St. Jude Herbal centre would be sent to CSRPM for training. Facilities at the St Jude Herbal Training Centre would be improved upon to enable it function more effectively. Solar panels would be supplied to provide energy for lighting and heating at the clinic. 4. The project will also support small business enterprise development to provide essential inputs for herbal preparation. The activities to be pursued include the promotion of honey production for 60 community members. The project will also assist women in the community to improve on their shea butter processing by training them in the improved methods of processing to meet the international market. At the central nursery, the youth would be trained in the grafting of mangoes as a business

Ghana