World Vision Ghana has initiated Phase III of its Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) PLUS project in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region. The two-year project aims to restore 100 hectares of degraded land and strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods. It will expand interventions to 10 communities in Bongo while consolidating gains made in the Binduri District.
The FMNR PLUS project seeks to promote inclusive landscape restoration in the two districts through sustainable land management, tree regeneration, financial inclusion, and local value chain development. The project will directly benefit approximately 2,500 people and indirectly reach another 5,000 in Bongo. In Binduri, it will continue supporting about 2,000 direct participants and 4,000 indirect beneficiaries.
The launch was addressed by Northern Operations Manager of World Vision Ghana, Rexford Y. Bugre, who read a speech on behalf of the Acting National Director, Joshua Baidoo. Mr. Baidoo emphasized that climate change effects, such as erratic rainfall and declining soil fertility, are undermining agricultural productivity and making household incomes uncertain, particularly for vulnerable farming communities.
Under the new phase, farmers will receive training in FMNR, sustainable natural resource management, and climate-smart agricultural practices. The project will also support community awareness campaigns, radio programs, bushfire prevention initiatives, and enforcement of local environmental by-laws. Traditional and faith leaders will be engaged as advocates for environmental protection.
The project will promote energy-efficient mud stoves and Gyapa cookstoves to reduce household fuel consumption and demand for firewood. Communities will develop disaster risk reduction plans and early warning systems to improve preparedness for climate-related emergencies. The Savings for Transformation (S4T) model will be introduced in Bongo to support collective savings and income-generating activities.
The Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Naba Baba Salifu Atamale Lemyaarum, welcomed the initiative, citing his longstanding efforts to promote tree planting and discourage bush burning in the district. He described FMNR as a practical approach to environmental restoration, allowing farmers to protect and prune naturally growing shrubs until they develop into mature trees.
The Bongo District Chief Executive, Diana Asoketarige Ayamga, pledged the Assembly's support for the project, urging community members and stakeholders to work together for successful implementation. The project is supported by the Knauer Family and Company of Germany, and aims to place people, particularly women, young people, and vulnerable groups, at the center of its interventions.
Key points
- The project targets restoration of 100 hectares of degraded land in Bongo District.
- Approximately 2,500 people will directly benefit from the project in Bongo.
- The project promotes sustainable land management, tree regeneration, and climate-resilient livelihoods.
