By Tilda Acorlor
The Executive Director of Youth Volunteers for Environment (YVE) Ghana, Mr. Wisdom Koffi, has advised landowners and peasant farmers within the Likpe Bala and Tokokoe communities in the Volta Region to embark on Agroecology practices to protect and preserve farmland and other natural resources for a better livelihood.
He said it is duty-bound on community members to protect the natural resources around them.
Mr. Koffi disclosed this when he met leaders and stakeholders of the Tokokoe and Likpe Bala communities in Ho, the Volta Regional Capital, at a workshop aimed at conserving the environment and sensitising communities on how to protect forests and natural resources.
“Community members are initial farmers, and farming practices that protect the forest is Agroecology, not using pesticides and organic fertiliser. That is why we bring peasant farmers to agroecology, a practice of farming that can help the community protect the forest while still practicing third farming activities,“ Wisdom Koffie said.
The tagline for the conservation project is “Eco Conservation Initiative to Protect the Natural Resources of Atokora Mountains Towards a Sustainable Ecosystem.”
He admonished chiefs and land owners to think positively about their community’s resources, desist from being rich alone, and rather open up opportunities with remedies from investors that will benefit the whole community.
“It is up to these chiefs and community leaders to choose well; they have a choice to leave a legacy or to be rich alone. But if they manage the land well, the community will be rich, and it will be beneficial to all; we are only telling them the two differences that exist,” Mr. Koffi added.
The Programs Coordinator of YVE, Frank Sekyere, said when people feel connected to nature, they are more likely to take action to protect it, hence the education.
Mr. Sekeyere urged the communities to attach seriousness to forest preservation to sustain life and protect the planet.
“It is the cornerstone of our efforts to protect and preserve these natural treasures that sustain life on our planet.”
“Through informed, engaged, and empowered communities, we can secure a brighter, more sustainable future for all.”
He mentioned “misinformation and scepticism” as some challenges that befall the conservation of forests and nature.
“While the importance of public education and awareness of forest conservation is clear, challenges exist. Misinformation and scepticism can hinder our efforts. Therefore, our campaigns must be evidence-based and inclusive.”
Mr. Peter Osei Owusu from the Fidep Foundation urged the two communities to see each other as collaborators to regulate and protect the forest and sensitise them on the importance of natural resources.
He said communities must foster a culture of respect for forests and the environment to protect these invaluable ecosystems for generations to come. The Ho Municipal Customer Service Officer at the Forestry Commission Ghana, Mr. Tordey Gershon Amaglo, implored landowners to manage their land by embarking on activities that will preserve the land rather than destroy it.
“Humans are the threat to the land; before you use land, you must reexamine the way and manner in which we can manage the land and what the consequences will be,” Mr. Amaglo said.
Be careful how you own land. You are the same person who owns the land and parcels it for sale, yet you don’t have what it takes to conserve the land. I want to encourage all landowners to ensure that they do activities that will protect the land.”
Mr. Amaglo also entreated the general public to make use of lands for their intended purpose and refrain from building in water-locked areas.
The workshop was a delight to many participants, who expressed excitement at the knowledge gained. They resolved to organise a durbar in their various communities to educate other members of the community.
The Youth Volunteers for Environment (YVE) is an NGO established in 2001 that engages communities in the preservation of forests and natural resources for sustainable development.
The group believes in leaving no one behind by sustaining lives through natural resources.
The workshop in Ho is an entry project with the communities of Likpe Bala and Tokokoe communities and will soon reach out to other mountainous and forest reserve communities to encourage more youth participation in environmental conservation, climate change advocacy, policy analysis, renewable energy, waste management, water, health, solar, and sustainable development.