Pupils of Baare Primary School in Ghana’s Talensi District marked this year’s World Desertification and Drought Day by participating in a tree pruning exercise aimed at promoting environmental restoration.
The event was organised by the Forum for Natural Regeneration (FONAR), an environmental NGO dedicated to land restoration and climate resilience. It brought together teachers, community leaders, development partners, and the media to raise awareness of the increasing threat of desertification, drought, and land degradation.
The initiative was supported by the Heidehof Foundation of Germany and the Awaken Trees Foundation of Austria.
Urgent Call for Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration
Speaking at the event, Mr. Sumaila S. Saaka, Executive Director of FONAR, called for the urgent adoption of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) as a cost-effective and community-driven strategy to restore degraded lands and strengthen climate resilience.
“Over 35 per cent of Ghana’s land—especially in the five Northern Savannah Regions—is vulnerable to desertification due to overgrazing, unsustainable land use, bushfires, and illegal mining,” he said.
Citing the World Bank, Mr. Saaka noted that Ghana loses more than 315,000 hectares of forest annually, with drought-related crop revenue losses reaching GH¢22.2 billion in 2024 alone.
While acknowledging national efforts like the Tree for Life Reforestation initiative and Ghana’s AFR100 pledge to restore two million hectares of land, Mr. Saaka emphasised that:
“Tree planting alone is not enough. FMNR is a cost-effective and community-friendly approach that can achieve faster and more sustainable results.”
Youth at the Centre of Restoration
Mr. Saaka also highlighted FONAR’s project, “Regreening Communities through School Kids FMNR Eco-Clubs,” which is being implemented in 10 basic schools in the Talensi District. Under the initiative, over 200 pupils—known as ‘Eco-Warriors’—are being trained in sustainable land management and environmental stewardship.
He urged schools to adopt water-saving practices like rainwater harvesting and called for stronger partnerships to support future generations:
“The future of our land depends on the decisions we make today. By empowering young people, we are building a strong foundation for climate action and food security.”
Community Leaders Back FONAR’s Work
Baare Primary School Headteacher, Mr. Johnson Kolan, praised FONAR, noting that most schools in the district had experienced damage from windstorms linked to desertification.
Mr. Joseph Zida, Talensi District Human Resource Officer, echoed concerns about recent erratic rainfall patterns in June and urged more support for NGOs like FONAR.
Mr. Robert Abeero Alpha, District Director of NADMO, described FONAR’s FMNR approach as the “most suitable strategy” for districts such as Talensi, where irregular weather patterns are becoming more frequent.
