In a move aimed at empowering women and promoting sustainable agriculture, the Ghana Wildlife Society inaugurated a solar-powered drip irrigation system on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, in Mognori, a community located in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah region. This project, developed in collaboration with local partners, is set to serve as a training hub for climate-smart agriculture, enabling women to cultivate a variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, okra, and garden eggs, even during the dry season. The produce can be used for home consumption and sold for economic gain.

The facility, comprising a borehole, pump, solar panels, and a water receiving tank, relies on the power of the sun to extract water from the ground. This eco-friendly approach not only ensures a sustainable water supply but also aligns with the project’s climate-smart objectives.

During the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Bona Kyiira, the Assistant Park Manager of the Mole National Park, expressed the enduring relationship between the park and Mognori, as well as neighboring communities. He highlighted the mutually beneficial nature of this partnership, emphasizing that it has yielded numerous advantages for the people of Mognori and the park itself. Mr. Kyiira also revealed that further benefits are on the horizon, which will undoubtedly enhance the lives of the community and the park.

The Ghana Wildlife Society’s Executive Director, Mr. David Guva Kpelle, reiterated the organization’s commitment to reducing poverty and supporting community resource management in the CREMA communities. This solar-powered irrigation project is just one example of the Society’s efforts to fulfill their promise of livelihood support schemes. Mr. Kpelle acknowledged the significant progress already made in the Mognori community, attributing it to the community’s commitment to supporting the management of the Mole National Park.

Expressing gratitude to the project’s donors, Mr. Kpelle acknowledged the invaluable support of AfriEvolve and thru-Nabu in the successful implementation of the initiative. He encouraged the people of Mognori to continue collaborating with these partners, as more beneficial initiatives are in the works to further improve their livelihoods.

The event witnessed the participation of the Chief and people of the Mognori community, who established an eight-member management committee responsible for overseeing the facility’s operations. This committee will provide assistance and guidance to the women in managing the irrigation system effectively.

The project’s success is rooted in the innovative Community Resource Management Areas (CREMA) mechanism, developed by Ghana’s Wildlife Division in collaboration with the Forestry Commission. This mechanism empowers communities to govern and manage forest and wildlife resources within the boundaries of the CREMA, granting them economic benefits and promoting sustainable resource management. The CREMA model is a transformative step that addresses the historical challenges associated with resource ownership and management in Ghana, providing a path towards sustainable development.

As the solar-powered irrigation system takes root in Mognori, it stands as a beacon of hope for the community’s women, fostering economic empowerment, food security, and environmental sustainability. With continued collaboration and dedication, this initiative has the potential to positively transform the lives of the people in Mognori and the region at large.