The Livelihood and Advocacy Directorate of Navrongo- Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organization on Wednesday, held a stakeholder engagement meeting with Directors of Agric Services and Planning Officers from the various District Assemblies across the Diocese.
The meeting which formed part of activities in the implementation of the Climate Adaptation and Action Plans (CAAPs) project was meant to assess the progress of the implementation of the project, share updates and feedback, including challenges from the Districts assemblies and plan the ways forward in achieving the objectives of the CAAPs.
In his welcome address, Dr. Joseph Ayembilla, Human Development Coordinator, underscored the need for deeper cooperation and coordination among all stakeholders, especially the staff of NABOCADO, Agric officers, and District Planning Officers.
He charged participants to eschew personal differences and organizational decentralization barriers and work towards attaining a sustainable environment for good Agric practices and development for communities, especially under the challenges and risks presented by climate change as set out in the project objectives.
A presentation on the progress of work by Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Michael Ayamga revealed that activities such as sustainable agricultural practices (composting and bonding), Tree growing, Measures against bush burning, Energy saving improved mud-stove ( E-SIMS), Bio-insecticide for pest and disease control using locally innovated methods have all led to significant improvements in the livelihoods of local farmers and the environment in which they live.
He also facilitated the exhibition of hazard maps with expected changes or outcomes after the implementation of CAAPs which were designed by all 26 beneficiary communities, urging Agric and Planning officers of the assemblies to commit to attaining the desires of the people in their districts.
Brief Background of CAAPs
The Climate Adaptation Action Plan is a community-led project aimed at improving Communities’ resilience against the effects of changing climate.
It is been implemented by the livelihood and advocacy directorate of the Navrongo -Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Organization in collaboration with various stakeholders including district Agric departments, forestry departments, Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, Farmers, women cooperative groups as well as traditional authorities with funding from Misereor
So far,26 communities in 6 districts, namely Builsa South, Kassena Nankana East, Bawku West, Talensi, Bongo, and West Mamprusi are implementing climate change adaptation measures to make them resilient to its effects, especially on their livelihoods.
Highlights of Presentations by Agric Directors and Planning Officers.
Meanwhile, the district assemblies expressed concerns over the over-dependence of some local industries ( breweries, bakeries, and commercial food vendors)on fuel wood resulting in the continuous felling of trees for such purposes.
They say the trend could pose negative consequences for the tree growing activities as they called for intensified education and the introduction of the Energy Saving improved mud-stove ( E-SIMS) to such industries.
Some districts were applauded for achieving over 70 percent survival rate for trees planted under the project as they shared knowledge on how other areas could adopt such strategies.
In all, 1,769 farmers ( 567 males and 1,202 females) have planted 8,602 species of tree seedlings including eucalyptus, neem, and Baobab as part of the CAAPs implementation.
Some Agric officers however called for more engagement with the farmers in selecting the tree species for each district. This, they say would enable them take into consideration the farmers’ interests and environmental factors before distributing the seedlings.
Below are some photographs of the meeting
