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Development Sector:Environmental Protection
NEA is committed to protecting the environment
NEA is committed to protecting the environment– not because it is fashionable, but because
it is critical. Part of the program is directly involved in protecting forests, rivers and land. In addition, all other development activities undertaken
by NEA pass through environmental assessment at the planning stage to ascertain what environmental effects they will cause and what can be done to
mitigate against them. Throughout implementation, activities are closely monitored to ensure minimal negative effects and maximum positive effects.
Strategies to enhance the positive environmental impact of the work include:
i) Collaboration with villages is contingent on agreement to actively participate in protecting the environment
ii) Training on the environmental impact of activities is incorporated into each sector
iii) Activities are closely monitored by staff and management
iv) Organic agricultural production is practiced on model farms and gardens
v) Collaboration with local government, Environmental Protection Agency and law enforcement agencies to ensure environmental protection laws & by-laws are adhered to.
NEA's environmental involvement in the Janga project
1987 – 1989
Assessment of local Janga environment (streams, water pathways, special vegetation, depth of top soil, farming methods, tools used,
population of trees, grasses, shrubs)
1990-1991
Compilation of major environmental concerns
Cotton farming using toxic chemicals - charcoal burning
Soil depletion (ie) topsoil lost in dry season through wind erosion and through former dependence on chemical fertilizers and inadequate crop rotation
Encroachment of Sahara desert noticed by severity of Harmattan season that brings dust storms reducing the visibility to less than 1km
Annual bush burning by hunters to procure local game (source of protein)
Spread of disease (no community latrines)
Spread of disease - improper disposal of used medical supplies (ie syringes)
1992 - 1995
Education in communities on the negative effects of the above mentioned and ways to combat them: ie, planting food crops instead of
growing cotton; field trips to see areas that had been completely cleared through cutting trees for charcoal and the effects on the land and
people; methods of composting and crop rotation; introduction of bullock ploughing which is less evasive on delicate soils than tractors
Establishment of tree nursery
Establishment of cattle herd to produce bullocks for ploughing
Organizing of community afforestation groups
Introduction/monitoring of community woodlots
Construction of community latrines
Establishment of safe proceedures for disposal of used medical supplies (burning, deep burying)
1996-2000
Increase in seedlings produced and distributed to at least 5000 per annum
Construction of additional KVIP toilets
Monitoring disposal of medical supplies by Village Health Committee
Continued education and community meetings to ensure compliance with sound environmental practices
Continued expansion of bullock rearing herd
Establishment of awards program for those developing natural pesticides
Environmentally fragile rivers
NEA's environmental involvement in the Deg project
1995-1996
Assessment of local environment
1997-1998
Compilation of major environmental concerns - Charcoal burning (large scale)
Fishing by using chemicals such as DDT in the Black Volta River
surface gold-mining in and near the river with chemicals such as mercury
Closing of Black Volta River at Bamboi area with sand deposits from annual flooding/receding of river
Grazing of large migrant herds of cattle
Bush burning by hunters for local grasscutter game (source of protein)
Dependence on commercial fertilizers
poor community sanitation (no community latrines; standing water near houses; free roaming pigs) leading to disease
Illegal cutting of trees for sale as lumber
1999-2000
Education on consequences of negative environmental practices (chiefs and other citizens)
Establishment of tree nursery to replace trees destroyed by charcoal production
Establishment of Village Water and Sanitation Committees
2001-2004
Set up of environmentally sustainable model farm
Formation of task force to stop production and sale of charcoal; river mining; migrant herds; illegal tree felling
Training and assistance of charcoal producers in vegetable production and other micro-enterprises
Establishment of income generating activities for youth previously involved in river mining
Establishment of piggeries to enclose roaming animals
Construction of KVIP toilets
Construction of house hold soakaways
Training of environmental monitors in 11 communities
Formation of task force to stop chemical fishing (chiefs, village representatives, police, Environmental Protection Council, Army)
Increase in tree nursery
Increase in number of woodlot
Establishment of grasscutter farm to stop bush burning practice
Establishment of fish hatchery,ostrich and emu farm for protein to prevent bush burning
Development of additional Village Water and Sanitation Committees
2005-2007
Expansion of environmentally sustainable model farm
Continued effort through community representative to stop production and sale of charcoal; river mining; migrant herds; illegal tree felling
Monitoring of micro-enterprises of former charcoal producers (55 men from 5 villages)
Establishment of 3 piggeries (Jama, Teselima, Carpenter) to enclose roaming animals
Construction of KVIP toilets
Constructed 205 household soakaways to reduce # of malaria breeding areas
Desilting of Black Volta River at Bamboi (annually)
13 task force monitors trained
Nensom Environmental Watchdog incorporated & river protection bylaws approved
Illegal fishermen arrested, prosecuted and fined
Protected 500-600 km of Black Volta (Bui – Tulewe) from illegal fishing practices
Increased the number of seedlings produced in tree nursery
Increase in number of woodlots (5 communities)
Expansion of grasscutter farm to stop bush burning practice
Expansion of fish hatchery, ostrich and emu farm for protein to prevent bush burning
Development of additional Village Water and Sanitation Committees
Nensom Environmental Watchdog (Inc.)
It started small. NEA and a few people were concerned over the use of illegal nets which were rapidly depleting fish stock and the use
of chemicals such as DDT to catch fish which posed serious health risks and destroyed fish-spawning areas. Open forums were held
(Yaara, Buipe, New Longoro) to educate the public on the negative effects of the practices and the laws against them. Participants included
representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency,Ministry of Fisheries, Ghana Police, Ghana Army, NEA,
chiefs, fishermen, fish-mongers and local residents. What started small has become a movement for river protection. In 2007,
representatives from the above mentioned groups met to evaluate their progress and plan for the future. The stretch of the Black
Volta being protected has been divided into 9 zones and fishermen who assist with the monitoring the river - day and night
- now number close to 600. When asked by observers how they were sure that the river was truly protected they replied,
“It’s our livelihood. We can’t afford to let it slip!” Results of their efforts have been stunning. Through
working together, they have been successful in prosecuting some fishermen who refused to stop their illegal practices, an
effective deterrent to others. Fishermen report an increase in the catch and that some species that have not been seen
for over 20 years are back.
Future plans…
Coordinate open forums in 6 communities to educate on environmental issues
Extend reach of Black Volta River protection to include 520 km of tributaries
Assist 10 chiefs with income generating projects eliminating need to support destructive environmental practices in order to survive
Train 20 additional monitors and provide canoes and cameras for river surveillance
