Community Liaison Officer for Resource Conservation Initiative (RESCONI) has called on cocoa farmers to adopt innovative climate-smart farming techniques to enhance cocoa production in the region.

Mr. Kwame Kyere Pumpuni, a Community Liaison Officer for Resource Conservation Initiative (RESCONI), emphasized the importance of this initiative in ensuring a decent livelihood for cocoa farmers while simultaneously combating child labor and trafficking within cocoa supply chains. Furthermore, these practices, he said are essential for strengthening forest protection and restoration efforts in cocoa-producing areas.

RESCONI, in collaboration with various stakeholders including the Forestry Commission, Ghana Education Service, District Assemblies, and local NGOs, is spearheading efforts to devise new and innovative solutions for forest protection and reforestation. This collaborative approach aims to inspire a shift in the current approach towards sustainable forest management.

To commemorate the International Day of Forests, RESCONI, along with the Ghana Education Service, the Atwima Mponua District Assembly, and community leaders, organized an event at the Anwiafutu D/A Basic School. Under the theme “Forest and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World,” the event highlighted the importance of forests and sustainable forest management.

The event featured representatives from various sectors, including the Assembly Member of the Anwiafutu Electoral Area, a representative of the Ghana Education Service, community opinion leaders, the school headmaster, and RESCONI team members.

Participants engaged in interactive sessions focused on topics such as the benefits of forests to human existence and the importance of sustainable forest management.

Key Issues Affecting the Forest

During these sessions, key issues affecting the forest, including illegal mining, sand winning, and illegal logging activities in the Atwima Mponua District, were brought to light. The participatory nature of the event allowed for meaningful discussions and insights into addressing these challenges effectively.

The RESCONI Team took advantage of the opportunity to educate the whole house on the suicidal effects of these destructive activities to the forest, water bodies and the environment in general and how it could affect human life.

The major highlights of the events also included contributions from the leadership of the community on the initiatives to reduce and prosecute individuals who undertake these activities.

The students after the various presentations by the RESCONI Team pledged to educate, create awareness and volunteer to the course of the Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action), Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land) and Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) which led to the establishment and inauguration of an Environmental club named “ADABS Environmental Club” with the motto: “Evergreen Ambassadors; Environmental Sustainability is our Priority!”

The RESCONI Team pledged that there will be future engagements and collaborations between various stakeholders and state actors such as the Forestry Commission (FC), Ghana Education Service (GES), District Assemblies, Basic and Junior High Schools (JHS), other local NGOs and the Community leaders towards devising new and innovative solutions to inspire a shift in the approach to community perception and involvement in forest protection and reforestation activities.

Overall, the call for adopting climate-smart farming practices underscores the importance of sustainability in cocoa production and forest conservation. Through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, cocoa communities can contribute to a greener and more prosperous future while preserving vital forest ecosystems.

RESCONI is concerned with environmental awareness creation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainability challenges of the extractive sectors, conservation and protection of threatened ecosystems, developing the potential of local communities to minimize land and natural resource use, advocacy to establish the rights of the rural poor and the marginalized in policy and decision making.

RESCONI works alongside industry players, state agencies, local government institutions, NGOs and local communities to help them understand and address their sustainability challenges, and bridge their differences towards effective and integrated solutions.