Women trained in beekeeping to reduce charcoal, firewood activities in Sawla

In the Sawla District of Ghana's Savannah Region, a group of women farmers have been trained in beekeeping as part of an initiative to reduce the unsustainable practice of cutting down trees for charcoal and firewood. The program, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) through its Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), aims to promote sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation.

The project, led by Manfred Vem Nakaar, will see the establishment of an indigenous tree nursery, the restoration of degraded lands, and the construction of beehives for honey production. The intervention, set to conclude in its final stages, seeks to provide women with an alternative income source and help address poverty and environmental degradation in the region.

Dr Jacob Abubakari, a consultant and retired lecturer, praised the FAO's timely response, believing it could benefit both the local population and the environment. Margaret Dakuri, a beneficiary of the program, expressed her gratitude and optimism that the new skills would improve the women's incomes and support their children's education, reducing their dependence on environmentally harmful activities.