Bolgatanga: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has initiated Phase II of its LOGMe project, 'Sahelian Landscapes, a Land of Opportunities-Widen Proven Furrows (LOGMe II),' in Bolgatanga. This phase aims to expand land restoration and bolster sustainable livelihood interventions across Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, and Senegal.
According to Ghana News Agency, LOGMe II builds on the achievements of its predecessor, which ran from 2020 to 2024, focusing on Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The project positions land as a catalyst for climate resilience and community empowerment in regions affected by environmental degradation. Funded by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security through the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Global Mechanism, the three-year initiative is part of a broader effort to combat land degradation in the Sahel region.
In Ghana, LOGMe II will impact 16 communities across four districts, including Talensi, Bawku West, Builsa South in the Upper East Region, and Sissala East Municipality in the Upper West Region. The project will be implemented in collaboration with A Rocha Ghana, the Savannah Agriculture Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SARI), and other local partners.
The project's launch, coinciding with its inception meeting, gathered stakeholders from government, traditional authorities, civil society, research bodies, and community groups to discuss the new phase and its operational areas. Ms. Dorcas Owusuaa Agyei, National Coordinator of IUCN Ghana Project Office, emphasized the project's commitment to utilizing landscapes for resilience and prosperity, highlighting the transformative potential of nature-based solutions.
LOGMe I previously restored over 3,700 hectares of degraded lands and promoted green value chains in eight communities, improving food security and access to renewable energy. LOGMe II aims to restore degraded lands through community-driven approaches, scale up green value chains, and strengthen local governance, aligning with the UNCCD Strategic Framework, Ghana's Land Degradation Neutrality targets, and Sustainable Development Goals.
Ms. Felicite Chabigonni, Regional Coordinator for LOGMe II, expressed gratitude for the support from UNCCD Global Mechanism and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, calling for collective implementation efforts. Mr. Isaac Kofi Notri, Project Officer at A Rocha Ghana, emphasized empowering local communities for sustainable land use benefits.
Mr. John Millim Nabwomya, Talensi District Chief Executive, noted the project's expansion to additional countries and communities due to the success of Phase I, stressing the importance of partnerships for achieving greater results. Dr. Iddrisu Yahaya, Principal Investigator at CSIR-SARI, urged beneficiary communities to collaborate in building on the gains from the first phase.
