Project Detail

Integrated Community-Based Biodiversity Conservation Reforestation of degraded lands, and sustainable fisheries development in Fievie Community and along the Volta River

The main problem necessitating the executing of this project is the depleting of freshwater fish along the portion of the Volta River, depletion of fuel wood and sacred groove resources in the Fievie community. These are caused by loss of fish and aquatic biodiversity due to uncontrolled fishing, over dependence on or unsustainable utilization of forest floral and faunal diversity at the sacred groove as well as inadequate woodlot establishment at the community level. These problems are further caused by lack of knowledge in fish farming and fisheries management, inadequate skills and knowledge in sacred groove forest resources management and lack of funds to support woodlot establishment.

The overall goal of the project is to conserve and develop the biological diversity of both within and along Fievie portion of the Volta River and the sacred groove and improve of the living standards of the people in the community.

The specific objectives of the project include the following:

o To restore 40 hectares of the degraded environment and the vegetative cover of the Fievie community through woodlot establishment and reforestation of the degraded river banks.

o To promote and conserve the biological diversity of floral & faunal species within the sacred groove.

o To undertake 15 pen culture sustainable fish farming & fisheries management within 2 km stretch of Fievie Portion of the Volta River and construct 4 fish ponds on a hectare of Community land by 2008.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

PANARA CO-OPERATIVE FARMERS AND MARKETING SOCIETY

Country:

Ghana

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity
International Waters
Land Degradation

Operational Phase:

Phase 3

Grant Amount:

US$ 23,350.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 36,300.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 8,050.00

Project Number:

GHA/0P3/Y2/06/107

Start Date:

8/2006

End Date:

7/2008

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Policy Influence

Local bye law on the management of the Volta lake.

Linkages gef projects

No.

Planning gef grant

Not planned

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Public education and awareness has been institutionalised under the project. The project will edcuate communities along the Volta Bank to desist from bad enviornmental practices including pollution, and harvesting of trees.

Planning non gef grant

The Fisheries Ministry has a strategic plan to develop the area into fishing farming

Capacity - Building Component

The Youth would be trained in crab farming, fish farming on commercial basis. The women would be trained nursery management to produce seedlings for sale.

Notable Community Participation

The community of Fievie identified the loss of biological diversity as their priority during a community meeting. The community therefore formed Panara Cooperative to restore the vegetation cover along the Volta River. A project steering committee (PSC) of major stakeholders has been formed to support policy direction and linkages and also to ensure oversight responsibilities of project funds towards community development. The PSC is chaired by the community chief and the leader of Panara –cooperative Farmers Society is the secretary. The Forestry Manager provides technical services and other members will include:- - Representative from South Tongu District Assembly - Assemblyman & Unit Committee Chairman - Three representatives from the Society

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The project concentrates on providing alternative livelihood to people who live on the banks of the Volta River to engage in fish and crab farming.

Replication of project activities

The project has been adopted by the Volta River Authority. Now they have given licence to private operator to develop fish pens to manage the water. Over 200 private companies are now involved in the project.

Project sustainability

The project has been sustained throuugh the transopfrmation of the NGO into a social enterprise to engage in fish farming as a business

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

The project is being implemented by the indigenous Ewe communities living along the Volta River.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The project will apply for the district funds to finance the expansion of the proejct after the initial technology is spread to the farmers.

Policy Impact

The project will encourage local communities living along the Volta Lake to enforce local traditional laws of protecting the banks of the Volta River.

Gender Focus

Women and Youth are the focus of the project.

Project Results

PANARA has organised several workshops and training sessions for members of the Fievie community in the following areas:
• Biodiversity and Business management
• Aquaculture / fisheries management
• Fish pen and Fish pond construction
• Sustainable crop and vegetable production

The community cleared a portion of land along the Volta River for the siting of the fish farm and training centre. Four fish pens were erected and stocked with 6,000 fingerlings and 2,000 lobsterlings. Two fish ponds were constructed and stocked, but due to hydrotropism, most of the stock was lost. The ponds were drained and are undergoing reconstruction with improved cemented sides and a river-sand packed base.

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