Western North, Ghana: Over 200 smallholder farmers in the Western North Region of Ghana have recently completed a training program in entrepreneurial development skills, designed to enhance their livelihoods through alternative business ventures. This initiative is part of the broader Landscape and Environmental Agility across the Nation (LEAN) project, funded by the European Union (EU).
According to Ghana News Agency, the LEAN project, now in its third year of a four-year duration, focuses on supporting farmers to improve their livelihoods. The project aims to encourage sustainable practices, including halting land degradation and supporting climate change mitigation efforts. The training and subsequent provision of start-up kits are central to this goal, enabling farmers to diversify and strengthen their economic stability while contributing positively to environmental conservation.
The training, as reported by Mrs. Abena Dufie Woode, Senior Project Manager at Rainforest Alliance, to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), included skill development in snail, pig, and fish farming, as well as honey production. Following the completion of the training, participants were provided with start-up kits to launch their chosen business ventures.
In addition to the Western North Region, the LEAN project is implemented in various other locations, including Offinso, Nkoranza, Techiman, West Gonja, Kasena Nankana, and Paga. The project is a collaborative effort involving Rainforest Alliance, Tropenso Ghana, Ecocare, and World Vision Ghana.
Mrs. Woode emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing, advising the beneficiaries to impart the skills they acquired to other farmers in their communities. This approach aims to broaden the impact of the training, fostering economic stability among a larger group of farmers.
Mr. Sylvester Mensah, one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the training, noting its potential to provide farmers with additional income sources, particularly during off-season periods. He also appealed for the expansion of the LEAN project to include more areas, enabling a greater number of farmers to benefit from such interventions.