MID-VOLTA ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION PROJECT

RAINS joined 50 representatives from communities along the White mid-Volta River Basin as part of an initiative for advocating towards improved livelihood and environmental security in the region.

Rising population numbers along with inappropriate farming methods have caused a state of depletion to the ecosystem in as little as two or three generations.  Elders present at the meeting, described how natural resources were fundamental to life and that therefore, issues relating to the protection and regeneration of the Volta river resources directly relates to life and livelihoods of communities. The vice board chairman of RAINS, My Nyari, reflected on the issues that were requiring priority attention: dwindling fish stocks and diminishing farmer yields. With local fishing and subsistence food agriculture cultivation failing to meet the food and cash requirements of communities; alternative livelihoods are being sought to sustain shortages in the family budgetary. However, this has led to the increased burning of charcoal as an income source.>MORE<

Staff of RAINS welcomed the Hon. DCE and special guests to a presentation ceremony with Community Surveillance Teams of Savelugu-Nanton and Walewale Districts on June 17th 2008.

Representatives from 20 Community Surveillance Teams arrived to the Mandela Development Centre for the presentation of resources intended to be used in efforts against child trafficking and child labour. 

The New Generation Programme aims to prevent and withdraw a total of 2800 fostered girls and girls from poor families, from unplanned migration and kayaye.

District Assemblies were presented with bicycles, to be distributed to the CST’s for use in community surveillance and monitoring of child attendance at school in the districts.

Cheques have also been paid on behalf of 1600 mothers and children to the NHIS to provide for their health care. As part of the NGP initiative, 1500 mothers are also to receive microloans for the starting of income generating activities along with other resources to support access to education and training.  >MORE< 

Monday 9th June – Zoosali, Women farmers participating in indigenous seed security.

As part of Zoosali’s ongoing working partnership with RAINS in seeking improved conservation and seed security in northern Ghana, a preliminary meeting was held with women farmers to discuss the issue of rare and extinct food crop varieties. Some of the seed crops highlighted in this immediate group were Baba ran beans, Cowpeas, Sarize bean, Pigeon pea, Cassava , Bungu, Merri, Sesame, Pena, frafra potato, Sorgum, Millet, Yellow maize, Yam, Akata (Agusthie), Sweet potato, Rice (local variety), Simpie, Sapiriwa, Soyabeans – for bawadawa, Dua.

A pilot project at the village will aim to refocus the use of more traditional seeds, crops and grains in the community. Once used sustainably, the old traditional crop varieties had become abandoned in favour of new crop varieties. Though perhaps higher yielding, these varieties are not as sustainable, requiring high inputs of chemical fertilizers to maintain soil fertility.  >MORE<