The project thrust is to contribute to GEF/SGP Country Program Strategy especially land degradation and capacity building of local dwellers.

The project also seeks to work in Kokoyah, Bong County. The current wave of artisanal mining continues to destroy forest land and biodiversity. The lack of knowledge of laws and regulations on conservation and land degradation is a major threat to forest land, land use planning and protection of biodiversity. There are seven towns and villages with an estimated population of 2,000 people mixed with 10% immigrating population. In 2021, about three illegal miners died after a major landslide leaving score of people wounded. The influx of people has created a drug infested community with reports of sexual and gender-based violence cases.

The contextual reality reflects the limited capacity of local dwellers to understand regulations on protecting biodiversity and the protection of endanger animal species in their environment couple with the absence of basic livelihood opportunity for community residents as incentives to reduce pressure on the land and remaining forest areas. Hence, working to create awareness on the laws and regulations of land use planning especially in the mining areas of the targeted communities will improve land use interventions and mitigate some of the potential disasters.