Project Detail

FIAN COMMUNITY BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION PROJECT

The project seeks to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization of semi-arid natural resources for wealth creation and improvement of the health of the people of Fian. Fian is a farming community in the Upper East region of Ghana which is noted for utilzing traditional herbs in the health delivery system of the district especially in bone-setting.

Unfortunately the area is prone to annual bushfires which has not only destroyed the medicinal plant and animals but are also leading causes of land degradation in the area.

The project will therefore undertake the following field activities:

1. Develop local capacity for sustainable management and utilization of biodiversity in Fian community nad its enviorns. The expected activities to achieve this outcome are weekly environmental awareness creation programme in local dialects on the local FM station to cover the entire region. The project will promote environmental education in 4 communities to develop awareness

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and attitudinal changes towards the enviornment. The project will form, train and equip Community Natural Resource Management Committee for land management and biodiversity conservation. It will also form, train and equip 120 wildfire prevention and management committees in 4 communities. In collaboration with the local authorities and the District Assembly, indigenous laws and regulations on natural resource management would be reviewed, document and enforced.

2. The project will rehabilitate and restore degraded woodland resources in Fian traditional area. The expected activities for this outcome will include the establishment of 500 ha community natural regeneration sites to be managed by traditional rules and regulations. The project will formulate a participatory landuse plan to guide the community natural regeneration areas. A community tree nursery of 100,000 seedling capacity would be established and manage at Fian. In addition a 40 ha of multipurpose woodlot and fodder bank would be created by the community to improve on the rearing of animals. A dugout would be constructed within the fodder bank to provide all-year round water for animals.

With the assistance of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, water harvesting and conservation and soil fertility improvement techniques would be introduced. Farmer would be taught on composting and agro-forestry to enhance biodiversity conservation. .

3. The project will enhance the capacity of traditional health practitioners in delivery, processing and packaging of traditional herbs. The activities to be pursued under this component will include developing the capacities of 60 traditional health practitioners in herbal preparation and administration at St. Jude Herbal Training Centre. Participant would be selected from the 4 communities. The project will assist the St. Jude Herbal Centre to affiliate with the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM) at Mampong Akuapim. 10 traditional health practitioner trainers from St. Jude Herbal centre would be sent to CSRPM for training. Facilities at the St Jude Herbal Training Centre would be improved upon to enable it function more effectively. Solar panels would be supplied to provide energy for lighting and heating at the clinic.

4. The project will also support small business enterprise development to provide essential inputs for herbal preparation. The activities to be pursued include the promotion of honey production for 60 community members. The project will also assist women in the community to improve on their shea butter processing by training them in the improved methods of processing to meet the international market. At the central nursery, the youth would be trained in the grafting of mangoes as a business

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

St Jude Herbal Clinic

Country:

Ghana

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP3 - Y1 (Mar 05 - Feb 06)

Grant Amount:

US$ 36,600.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 15,000.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 32,300.00

Project Number:

GHA/05/077

Start Date:

5/2005

End Date:

4/2007

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

Generation of revenue from utilization of medicinal plants

Project sustainability

MOA has been signed between traditional landowners and the NGO Indigenous knowledge on bye laws have been enacted and ratified.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Most of the beneficiaries are indigenous people who will be invovled in conservation on indigenous lands.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

Project will support community members in bee-keeping, small ruminant rearing and trading in medicainal plants

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Public awareness on bushfire control, biodiversity conservation and sustainable woodfuel production will be promoted.

Notable Community Participation

The proejct is fully implemented by the people of Fian and four outlying communities.

Policy Impact

The project will encourage the Ministry of Lands and Forestry to develop a policy towards the sustainable management of savannh resources in the country.

Capacity - Building Component

Will develop the capaicties of the local communities in nursery management, tree planting and packaging of midicainal plants.

Gender Focus

Will focus on women in nursery and alternativel ivelihood

Project Results

? A series of programmes were organized to create awareness and train community members in wildfire management.

? A tree nursery has been established to raise seedlings for enrichment planting in the Fian community reserve.

? Over 13,147 seedlings of various plant species have been raised in the nursery .

? The Director of the St Jude Herbal Center have developed the capacities of 60 traditional health practitioners in herbal preparation and administration.

? 60 community members have been trained in alternative livelihood in bee keeping.

? To reduce the pressure on the forest as a source of fodder for livestock and domestic energy, a multipurpose woodlot have been established to provide fodder for livestock and to supply fuel wood for the community.

? 10 traditional health practitioners have been trained in the processing and packaging of processed herbs for marketing.

? 4 committees have been formed and 120 committee members have been trained on wildfire prevention and management.

A 3 day marketing workshop has been organized for 30 clinic staff and herbalists

25 youth farmers have been trained in small ruminant rearing ( goats, sheep, pigs, rabbit) and grafting of mangoes as an alternative livelihood activity.

50 farmers have benefited from agro-forestry training.

A 50 fire volunteer squad has been formed, trained in fire combat techniques.

80 farmers have been trained in water conservation and modern soil improvement methods.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Number of local policies informed in biodiversity focal area 4

Empowerment

Number of women participated / involved in SGP project 860

Empowerment

Number of indigenous people participated/involved in SGP project 1654

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