16,000 shea seedlings planted at Pavuu in Upper West region to restore degraded landscapes

In a landmark initiative aimed at restoring degraded landscapes, 16,000 shea seedlings have been planted at the Pavuu Conservation Site in the Lawra Municipality of the Upper West Region. The Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD) spearheaded this effort in collaboration with the Lawra Municipal Assembly, the Global Shea Alliance, and Green Gold Savanna.

The seedlings, supplied by the Global Shea Alliance, were ceremonially planted and distributed to enrich regenerated community parklands and rejuvenate biodiversity in the region.

Following the official launch, dignitaries and community leaders joined hands to plant shea seedlings, symbolising a collective commitment to environmental restoration. The keynote address, delivered by the Chief Director of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Pognaa Fati Korey, on behalf of the Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, underscored that planting was merely the first step.

Korey emphasized the importance of protecting the seedlings from bushfires, illegal logging, and further land degradation, cautioning against the culture of 'plant and forget'. She highlighted that a mature shea tree represents years of ecological and economic value, urging the community to ensure the survival and maturity of the newly planted seedlings.

Under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010), the region is encouraged to transition from merely exporting raw commodities to fostering industrial value addition, quality packaging, and agribusiness development. This shift is particularly beneficial for rural women and youth. Traditional authorities, including the Regent of the Lawra Traditional Council, Reverend Pastor Terle Karbo, reaffirmed their support for the initiative, emphasizing the crucial role of local enforcement.

Karbo recounted instances where community members apprehended individuals attempting to set bushfires and handed them over to the Traditional Council for sanctions, reflecting the proactive measures taken to safeguard the seedlings.

CIKOD's Executive Director, Daniel Bannoku, stressed the importance of local stewardship and community governance over externally imposed solutions. He pointed out that Forest Management and Natural Regeneration (FMNR) can significantly boost cropland productivity by at least 83% within five years, offering a direct economic benefit to farmers.

Bannoku's remarks highlighted that the success of the restoration project lies in the hands of the local community, who must actively protect the seedlings and promote multi-species planting along farm boundaries to build resilient livelihoods.