Several communities in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality and surrounding areas in the Upper East Region of Ghana have received training on planting and nurturing tree seedlings to promote a high survival rate. The initiative aims to combat climate change and improve the economic livelihoods of the beneficiaries.
Around 300 households were equipped with knowledge and skills to plant and nurture tree seedlings, with a particular focus on grafted mango trees. The project is part of the Climate Change and Livelihood Empowerment Project, implemented by the NGO Our Lady of Mercy Community Services (OLAM) and supported by funding from VASTENACTIE-BELGIUM and OSIWA-SENEGAL.
Mr. Dominic Adomako-Kontoh, the Field Officer of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA-Ghana), who conducted the training, highlighted that a significant challenge in tree survival rates is the lack of capacity building among those responsible for planting seedlings. He emphasized the importance of technical knowledge in tree growing to ensure the successful establishment of planted trees.
The training covered proper digging techniques, suitable soil conditions for different seedlings, and the special attention required for grafted mango seedlings, which are more delicate than locally bred mango seedlings. The northern regions of Ghana, including Kassena-Nankana, have great potential for mango plantation due to their sunny nature, and with well-planned irrigation systems, they could become significant producers of quality mango fruits in the country.
One of the beneficiaries, a 76-year-old man named Mr. Anthony Akum Atanga Kwarania, expressed gratitude for the NGO’s intervention, stating that it would help address climate change issues in the communities and empower them economically. He shared his own success story of reaping the benefits of mango seedlings he planted many years ago in his community.
Mr. Emmanuel Atiiga, the Chief Executive Officer of OLAM, emphasized the importance of community involvement in mitigating climate change and encouraged the beneficiaries to put their training into practice. He highlighted the ready market for mango fruits and assured periodic monitoring visits to assess the growth rates of the trees and provide further guidance.
The project, currently in its pilot stage, will run on an annual basis and aims to enroll more households in subsequent years.
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://flownewsonline.com/communities-in-kassena-nankana-municipality-empowered-with-tree-planting-skills-to-combat-climate-change/&media=https://flownewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tree-Growing.jpg&description=Communities in Kassena-Nankana Municipality and its environs have received training on tree planting and nurturing as part of a Climate Change and Livelihood Empowerment Project. The initiative aims to combat climate change and improve economic livelihoods by equipping households with skills to promote high survival rates of planted trees, including grafted mango seedlings. The beneficiaries were educated on technical aspects of tree growing, appropriate soil conditions, and the potential for mango plantations in the region. The project, supported by OLAM and ADRA-Ghana, is set to continue its efforts in subsequent years."){kind=link}