Youth day of service
Land Restoration Project: Afforestation, Agroecological practices and Plastic waste recovery in the Northern Region of Ghana.
Background:
The Northern region of Ghana has been grappling with significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, which has led to land degradation, loss of biodiversity, change of rain patterns and negative impacts on local communities ( Government of Ghana 2021). Greening Ghana Initiative). In response to these challenges, there have been efforts towards land restoration through Ecowillow Ghana’s flagship project; the Green Schools project. The Green Schools project is focused on practical environmental education within schools. It has been instrumental in planting 1,200 trees in 2.5 years and more than half of these trees are still thriving till date. Learners on the Green Schools project have recovered about 2 tonnes of plastic within their homes, communities, and schools within 6 months and have been leading school garden initiatives to ensure food security. These have been achieved through agro-ecology, proper land management practices, awareness raising through radio engagements, training of SDGs youth leaders and implementation of corporate social responsibility actions for and with organisations. The project aims to further restore the degraded land through afforestation (planting 500 trees in one week), recovering 1000kg worth of plastic in Tamale, promote agroecological practices and gender-climate awareness through establishing a school farm for a disadvantaged girls community school. This will serve as a means for the school to grow their own food and generate income to support the pertinent needs of the girls, and concurrently raise public awareness about the consequences of deforestation and single use plastics.
Project Intended Goals & Activities:
1. The project planted 1000 trees in deforested or degraded areas of the Northern Region especially in the Tamale metropolis, Sagnarigu municipal and Savelugu district. This activity involved the identification of suitable tree species, the establishment of nurseries for seedling production, and community-led planting initiatives. The goal is to increase forest cover, restore ecosystem balance, and provide various environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, soil protection, and habitat restoration.
2. The project established recycling facilities and collection points to encourage proper disposal and segregation of plastic waste. 1,000 kg of plastics will be recovered within schools, hotels, restaurants, offices, and other public spaces. Through awareness campaigns on radio, the project educated the populace about the importance of responsible plastic waste management, encouraging behavior change and promote the use of eco-friendly alternatives.
3. The project supported agroecological practices led by our team of 20 young facilitators to support Savelugu Girls Model school and selected second cycle school farms. These practices include agroforestry, organic farming, and integrated pest management, which enhance soil fertility, biodiversity, and sustainable gricultural production. These training sessions will focus on techniques such as agroforestry, organic farming methods, and integrated pest management. Selected second cycle school farms will be equipped with knowledge and skills to implement sustainable farming practices effectively.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation: The project established a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the progress and effectiveness of the implemented activities. This will involve regular monitoring of tree survival rates, agroecological practices adoption, and the impact of public education efforts on changing behaviors and attitudes regarding plastic waste management.
