Water Management and Reforestation in Ghana

As a result of climate change, Northern Ghana is facing severe flooding and long periods of drought. Combined with a growing population, poverty-related deforestation and agriculture near rivers have led to pollution and siltation of rivers, dams, and irrigation channels. This is endangering the quality and quantity of water.

One of the affected areas in Northern Ghana is the Bongo district, where the Vea Dam is located. The water reservoir of this dam is used for agriculture by about 2,000 farmers and is also used for drinking water by the community and their livestock. However, the functions of this reservoir are under threat.

With the help of Blue Deal Ghana, a partnership was established between the Water Resources Commission of Ghana, other government bodies, and two NGOs to find an integrated solution. The collaborating parties decided to plant more than 200,000 trees along the river upstream of the Vea Dam to restore 50 km of buffer zones along the riverbanks.

To facilitate this collaboration, Blue Deal first contacted an NGO (Tree Aid Ghana) that could carry out the reforestation on-site, and joint visits were made to several reforestation projects and nurseries. Then, contact was made with Trees for All as a potential financier, and both parties were connected. This led to the initiative of creating a project proposal for reforestation, in which Blue Deal partners in Ghana were closely involved. An important aspect was that the reforestation project would not be a standalone initiative but would be supported by the involved Ghanaian government parties and integrated into the implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) plan. About a year and a half after the initial contacts, it was definitively decided to implement the project.

The reforestation project is being carried out for and by the local communities and serves as an example of integrated water management in Ghana. A total of 1,600 farmers will be trained in agroforestry, long-term forest protection, and sustainable use of natural resources. Agroforestry will also help develop sustainable enterprises for local farmers, improve soil fertility, and enhance water retention in the soil. The trees maintain the natural balance of the climate and provide a green and healthy living environment. They absorb carbon dioxide from the air and help combat climate change. All these combined efforts will contribute to the livelihoods of the farmers in a healthy living environment.

Bestanden

For more information, please contact Jaap Bos at jaap.bos@waternet.nl or visit the Trees for All website.