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Ghana Focuses on Food Security in 2014

February 18, 2015

In 2014, The Hunger Project-Ghana emphasized epicenter progress, local leadership and community-established goals. Committee meetings were held to discuss management issues related to the epicenter buildings, income-generating options and epicenter facility needs. The Hunger Project-Ghana also took part in a wide range of community-initiated projects across the epicenters, which led to a significant increase in revenue through income-generating projects such as the development of seedling nurseries and cocoa farms.

Community Mobilization

This year, epicenters in Ghana began inviting elected officials to become part of their meetings and forward-planning sessions. As a result, several meetings of Tokome Epicenter’s leadership were attended by a Member of Parliament (Hon. Kafui Bekui) and the District Chief Executive (Hon. George Loh). Tokome Epicenter executives successfully lobbied the Anfoegah Traditional Council for support, leading to a GH¢ 3,000 ($835 USD) investment to purchase cement and other building materials.

In addition, several epicenters have initiated projects for local education opportunities, sanitation facilities and health services. These projects are making significant changes in the communities’ access to basic services and increased visibility around community-led initiatives. Taido Epicenter’s Municipal Assembly recently supported the completion of a four-unit primary school classroom block and KVIP toilet and urinal, thanks to lobbying from epicenter leadership. Kyempo Epicenter’s community library project is also progressing steadily, and a daycare and latrines were initiated at Asafora Epicenter.

Food Security

The Hunger Project-Ghana secured relationships around food security and vegetable agribusiness in several epicenters. Along with Kpando Municipal Department of Agriculture, the International Fertilizer Development Company and the 2SCALE Project, The Hunger Project-Ghana launched initiatives to enhance farmers’ knowledge of good agronomic practices, specifically around improved seeds, plastic mulch and drip irrigation. This partnership also focuses on strengthening links to the vegetable value chains through demonstration fields and multi-day trainings in vegetable-intensive farming areas.

In light of the erratic rainfall this year, Matsekope and Toku Epicenters have developed rainfall charts that allow them to map the days of rainfall over time. This technique is used to enhance their capacity to predict local rainfall and plan ahead for possible rainy days in subsequent seasons.

 

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