Kassena-nankana west: World Vision Ghana, a Christian child rights organization, has announced the expansion of its Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration for Sustainable Economic Empowerment and Development (FMNR4SEED) project in the Kassena-Nankana West District. The new phase of the project aims to benefit 20 additional communities within the Paga and Chiana Area Councils, focusing on empowering communities to restore degraded lands and improve livelihoods.
According to Ghana News Agency, the FMNR4SEED II project is funded by World Vision Germany and is set to be implemented from July 2025 to June 2027. This phase builds on the achievements of the FMNR4SEED Phase I project, which was successfully carried out in 41 communities in the Mirigu, Kandiga, and Sirigu Area Councils over the past five years, also with funding from World Vision Germany.
The project employs the FMNR approach, a cost-effective, sustainable, and community-driven method designed to reverse and restore degraded landscapes and forest reserves, while simultaneously empowering communities through alternative livelihood interventions. At a durbar marking the conclusion of Phase I and introduction of Phase II, Mr. Joshua Baidoo, Strategy and Integrated Programmes Director at World Vision Ghana, stated that the new phase targets 4,000 direct beneficiaries and 2,000 indirect beneficiaries across the 20 new communities.
Mr. Baidoo emphasized the goal of Phase II as improving and sustaining food security and resilience among 4,000 people in the Kassena-Nankana West District by 2027. The project aims to deepen partnerships with local authorities, decentralized departments, and traditional leaders to maintain and expand the project's achievements.
Reflecting on the accomplishments of FMNR4SEED Phase I, Mr. Baidoo highlighted that 660 lead farmers and 660 fire volunteers were trained in FMNR techniques, such as nurturing existing tree stumps and native vegetation, which significantly contributed to the restoration of 1,750 hectares of degraded land. Nearly 900 farmers received training in climate-smart agricultural practices, resulting in improved yields and enhanced food security.
To address nutritional needs, 2,000 farmers were trained and provided with inputs to cultivate bio-fortified crops and legumes, enhancing household nutrition in the communities. The project also introduced beekeeping, supported vulnerable farmers with 1,320 females to rear for alternative livelihoods, and trained women in constructing energy cookstoves, adopted by over 2,000 households.
The initiative extended to youth education by forming Eco-clubs in 20 basic schools, involving over 600 children in environmental education and stewardship activities. Financial inclusion was also a focus, with the introduction of Savings for Transformation (S4T), leading to the formation of 350 groups with 8,000 members, predominantly women, who mobilized over GHS3 million in savings for investment in small businesses, education, health, and emergencies.
Additionally, in collaboration with NADMO, 41 communities were assisted in developing disaster risk reduction plans, helping them prepare for and mitigate the effects of disasters like droughts and bushfires. Mr. Stephen Aeke Akurugu, the District Chief Executive, lauded World Vision Ghana and its partners for their contributions to WASH, environmental conservation, financial inclusion, and economic empowerment. He encouraged beneficiary communities to sustain the gains from FMNR4SEED I and urged stakeholders to support the second phase for greater impact.
