PROJECT BRIEF
1. IDENTIFIERS
PROJECT NUMBER
PROJECT NAME
P067685-LEN-BBGEF
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation
(NSBC) Project
DURATION
6 YEARS
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY
World Bank
EXECUTING AGENCY
Ministry of Lands and Forestry in collaboration wit the
Ministry of Health
REQUESTING COUNTRY
Ghana
ELIGIBILITY
Ghana ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity on
August 29, 1994
GEF FOCAL AREA
Biodiversity and Land Degradation
GEF PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORK OP1
2. SUMMARY
In Ghana, as elsewhere in Africa, savanna woodlands provide valuable environmental services,
are a crucial refuge for native biodiversity, and also protect soil and water resources against
degradation. About 70% of Ghana’s total supply of firewood and charcoal, estimated at 16
million m3, comes from savanna zones, which also provide medicinal plants (the primary source
of healthcare to residents) roofing grasses, fencing poles, bush meat and fruits. The northern
savannas are a source of important farmer crop varieties (cereals, roots/tubers and legumes). The
future survival of the majority of indigenous crop varieties is in doubt. Similarly, an increasing
number of the medicinal plants are threatened. Preserving these genetic stocks and knowledge
of their use will require specific interventions to ensure that these wild/native varieties are not
completely lost through inappropriate practices or replaced by introduced varieties. The
project’s primary objective is to improve the environment, livelihood and health in the northern
savanna zone of Ghana through the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources
including medicinal plants. The global environment objective is to identify, monitor and
conserve key components of the biodiversity of the northern savanna zone.
3.
COSTS AND FINANCING (MILLION US$)
GEF:
PDF B
0.3
Project
7.6
Subtotal GEF
7.9
Co-financing: IA: IDA
12.7
Other International
18.21
Government of Ghana
9.0
Subtotal Co-financing
39.9
Total Project Cost
47.8
4. Operational Focal Point Endorsement:
Name: E. P. D. Barnes
Title: Chief Director
Organization: Ministry of Environment Date: March 8, 2000
4. IA CONTACT: Christophe Crepin
1
Telephone:. (202) 473-9727;Fax: (202) 473-8185
Parallel financiers include DFID, DANIDA, EU, Netherlands and WFP
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
Background and Overall Project Context
The context of this GEF component is to complement the APL Natural Resources Management
project: NRMP I (2 years) , and the proposed II (4 years) and III (4years). The development
objective of the NRMP is to protect, rehabilitate, and sustainably manage national land, forest
and wildlife resources and to sustainably increase the income of rural communities who own
these resources. The global environmental objective is to increase the ecological security of the
globally significant biological resources, especially within threatened tropical moist forest
ecosystems. A 6-year GEF biodiversity component of $ 8.7 m (focusing on the southern high
forest) was linked to NRMP I and II. Although the NRMP I was approved on May 15, 1998, it
became effective on June 9, 1999. This 6-year Savanna biodiversity GEF project (focusing on
the three northern regions) will overlap with the proposed NRMP II for 2 years and NRMP III
for its 4 years.
This Project's objectives do not substitute the Ghana Natural Resource Management project
which focused on the high forest and timber industry development. The project envisages five
main components aimed at promoting application of improved savanna land and natural
resources management techniques, involvement of communities in savanna resources
conservation, management and use. Furthermore the project will take advantage of, and
complement, the community-based management planning processes being generated by the
NRMP I for forest reserves, wildlife protected areas, savanna woodland and integrated
community based watershed management. Building on these general planning processes,
specific action programs to enhance global benefits of savanna ecosystems will be developed and
tested.
Project activities will be led by the project coordinator who will be located in the Savanna
Resources Management Center (SRMC) in Tamale. The SRMC is a multidisciplinary agency
established under NRMP I with staff seconded from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA),
the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Land and Forestry, and the Ministry of
Local Government. The multidisciplinary staff of the SRMC will assist the SRMP coordinator
in developing and implementing the project by participating in the community and agrobiodiversity components.
The baseline activities for this GEF project (NSBCP) are covered in part under NRMP II during
its first 2 years, and totally under NRMP III during the last 4 years.
Effective
June 1, 1999
NRMP I (1999-2000) NRMP II (2001-2004)
GEF Biodiversity - High Forest
NRMP (2005-2008)
GEF Biodiversity - Savanna (NSBCP)
overlap
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Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
A: Project Development Objective
1. Project development objective and key performance indicators (see Annex 1):
The project’s primary objective is to improve the environment, livelihood and health of
communities in the northern savanna zone2 of Ghana through the conservation and sustainable
use of natural resources including medicinal plants. Progress would be determined by (i)
measurable improvement in the conservation and management of globally and nationally
significant plant and animal species, and their habitats; (ii) the development of a specific policy
framework, based on improved capacity in the region; (iii) community involvement and adoption
of improved biodiversity management plans and new conservation measures; and (iv) increased
community awareness of biodiversity issues and maintenance of field gene banks of threatened
indigenous crop varieties and medicinal plants.
2. Project Global objectives and key performance indicators (see Annex 1):
The global environment objective is to identify, monitor and conserve key components of the
biodiversity of the northern savanna zone. Specific objectives are to: (i) protect existing
biodiversity within and around preserve areas by adopting an ecosystem management approach
and developing savanna biodiversity conservation and management policy; (ii) identify priority
endemic species habitats and 'hotspots' in need of greater protection, (iii) protect sacred groves
and other sources of biodiversity and assist in the maintenance of the medicinal plant supply
through conservation and cultivation (iv) preserve knowledge of their (medicinal plants) use in
the home by women and by healers, and (v) maintaining the cultivation of farmer crop varieties .
Progress would be measured by number of hectares of savanna priority areas brought under
effective management, the demonstrated rejuvenation of threatened, endemic, and rare biotic
species' populations in the savanna, the number of communities effectively involved in
propagation of important indigenous crop varieties and medicinal plants, and the enhanced
security of natural habitats.
B: Strategic Context
a. Sector-related Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) goal supported by the project (see Annex
1):
CAS document number: EP-P050630 Date of latest CAS discussion: September 4, 1997
The Bank's CAS for Ghana aims at, among other things, sustainable use and management of
natural resources and the effective implementation of the country's National Environmental
Action Plan (NEAP). The project would support these CAS objectives through the promotion of
sustainable use and management of Ghana's northern savanna zone. Specific project objectives
that support the CAS goal are: (a) to improve livelihoods and health in the northern savanna zone
and (b) ensuring social and rural development via capacity building within communities for
environmental protection and sustainable natural resource management, and (c) poverty
reduction through better management of the productive resources and increasing production by
the more disadvantaged rural part.
2
The northern savanna zone is comprised of two vegetation types: Sudan and Guinea. They are not specifically
identified in the text.
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Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
b. GEF Operational Strategy/program objective addressed by the project:
This project's overall objective supports GEF's Operational Program Number 1 on "Arid and
Semi-Arid Zone Ecosystems". The proposed project activities also respond to GEF Council's
approved document GEF/C.14/4 (December, 1999), Clarifying linkages between land
degradation and the GEF focal areas: an action plan for enhancing GEF support. Whereas the
main thrust of the project is biodiversity conservation (CBD) in the savanna zone, the project has
vital components and cross links to land degradation and desertification (CCD). In addition, the
project is consistent with the GEF Operational Strategy for Biodiversity, as well as Article 8(j) of
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) regarding the protection and conservation of
medicinal plants, benefit sharing and protecting indigenous knowledge. Savanna ecosystems
cover about 50% of the land area of Africa and a project of this type has not been attempted
anywhere in the savanna ecosystem. Hence, lessons learnt from this project would provide
useful insights into the design and implementation of projects in other savanna regions. The
northern savannas also harbor indigenous land races of important food crops. The future
survival of the majority of northern indigenous farmer crop varieties is in doubt. Similarly, an
increasing number of medicinal plant species are threatened. Activities to be tested under the
GEF project, including development of sustainable use guidelines and propagation of indigenous
and threatened medicinal plants will provide useful lessons for replication elsewhere in Ghana
and West Africa. Preserving these genetic stocks and knowledge of their use will require
specific interventions to ensure that the medicinal plant species are not lost through inappropriate
land use practices and over-harvesting, or the wild/farmer crop varieties are not completely
replaced by introduced varieties. The expansion of agriculture into frontier areas, such as
savannas and arid and semi-arid areas, combined with over-grazing, bushfires and inadequate
crop management contribute to degradation of biological diversity, as well as the loss of the
cultural diversity of traditional communities.
Under NRMP 1, the Savanna Resource Management component activities are: i) establishment
of the Savanna Resource Management Center (SRMC), ii) assessment of the natural resources of
the savanna zone, iii) planning and initiation of six on-reserve community-based management
pilots, iv) surveys and planning for pilots in six priority watersheds off-reserve, and v) complete
a survey of woodfuel markets/marketing and organize a national woodfuels workshop. Certain
critical aspects of savanna resource management (such as agro-biodiversity and medicinal plant
species) were not addressed under NRMP 1. Activities contacted under the PDF-B grant have
clearly shown that agro-biodiversity and sustainability of medicinal plant species are critical to
community well-being. The opportunity provided by the NRMP (I , II and III) and the
establishment of the SRMC at Tamale, make Ghana an ideal location for this project.
Experiences and lessons learned in this area will have far-reaching implications for the
management of this widespread biome elsewhere in Africa. The anthropogenic threats facing
this fragile zone, endemism and the increasing rarity of some species, the increasingly
recognized importance of agro-biodiversity as well as the role that (increasingly scarce) native
plants play in traditional medicine and indigenous culture justify the modest resources that are
required to find better ways of managing this ecosystem, sustaining local communities, and
alleviating poverty. Economic analyses of the issues that pertain to competing land use,
biodiversity, and climate change impacts are needed to guide sound policy and decision making
for sustainable development.
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Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
In Ghana, as in many areas in Africa, savanna woodlands provide valuable environmental
services; are a critical refuge for native biodiversity, and also protect soil and water resources
against degradation. With about 20% of the national population the northern and coastal savanna
zones supply about 70% of Ghana’s total supply of firewood and charcoal, estimated at 16
million m3, and also provides medicinal plants, roofing grasses, fencing poles, and fruits (e.g.,
shea-nut which is an increasingly important export commodity). Savanna bushmeat (various
indigenous rodents, antelopes, reptiles and gastropods) is an important source of animal protein
(12% of protein for rural communities) and revenues for local impoverished communities. The
savanna woodlands also have an ameliorative effect on the local climate and constitute a natural
barrier to the desiccating harmattan winds from the Sahara, thus helping to maintain a favorable
climate for agricultural production in the south.
2. Main sector issues and Government strategy:
Within the area of natural resources management, the key issues in Ghana are land and forest
degradation and loss of flora and fauna biodiversity associated with unsustainable harvesting
levels in both the high forest (wood processing) and savanna zones (poles/woodfuel), and
inappropriate farming practices.
The Sudan and Guinea savanna zones cover the drier northern two thirds of the country, where
the main economic activities are the production of annual crops (cereals, legumes, root crops,
cotton) and livestock. It is believed that at the beginning of the last century, woodland coverered
about 9.4 million hectares of the northern savanna zone, producing mainly woodfuel and a small
amount of building poles for local use. While the savanna zone is home to about one third of
wildlife species in Ghana, annual massive bushfires affect 50% of the savanna zone and
seriously affect and kill species of flora and fauna thereby reducing the potential to conserve
biodiversity. The savanna zones are under tremendous pressure from growing human and
livestock populations, agricultural expansion and inappropriate farming practices, deforestation,
annual bush fires, and introduction of crop varieties that are replacing indigenous varieties. Land
degradation associated with loss of vegetative cover and inappropriate farming practices is an
increasing problem in the country, and was identified in the NEAP as one of the major
environmental issues in Ghana. The main interlinked underlying problems leading to
degradation include: i) a poorly developed market system that does not price exploited natural
resources at their real economic value while providing easy (open) access to dwindling
communally owned natural resources, ii) inefficient public regulating agencies with overlapping
responsibilities, iii) inadequate/negligible involvement key stakeholders including local
communities in natural resource management, iv) weak institutional capacity in the wildlife
sector and little involvement of communities in the management and sustainable use of the
wildlife resource, and v) lack of inter-agency coordination in planning/monitoring natural
resource use, especially at the district and field levels.
All forest and savanna woodland reserves in Ghana are owned by the local communities and
traditional authorities and the government's role is to manage these resources in trust for the
people. The key objectives of Government natural resource policy include: a) ensuring a
sustained and adequate supply of forest products, b) preventing further environmental
degradation due to deforestation and inappropriate farming practices, and c) stimulating
community involvement in management of natural resources and enhanced economic well-being
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Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
of rural communities. Specific policy and institutional reforms that were identified to address
these objectives are directed at four areas: concessions allocation procedures, forest revenue
policy, trade policy, and restructuring of forest and wildlife sector institutions. Technical and
analytical studies to design a coherent sector-wide program of policy and institutional reforms
have been undertaken, resulting in the adoption of a new National Forest and Wildlife Policy in
1994 based on three pillars of resource protection, sustainable production, and involvement of
local rural people. Subsequently, a system-wide master plan, the Forest Development Master
Plan (1996-2020), was developed to implement the policy. Companion Wildlife legislation is
also being prepared.
The importance of medicinal plants is underscored by the fact that most rural modern Health
Posts are poorly equipped and administered and per capita allopathic drug expenditure is low.
To bolster their role in healthcare, a Traditional Medicines Practices Bill was submitted to the
Ghanaian Parliament in December 1999. Apart from being the first of its kind in Africa, this Bill
will not only legitimize traditional medicines and healers, but will also put more pressure on the
affected plants species due to the increased national attention. Since the majority of plants used
for traditional medicines are harvested from the wild, it is important that this basic resource is
protected through sustainable harvesting and/or cultivation. Rural health in Ghana is mainly
dependent on this traditional health services systems. Hence the conservation and sustainable
utilization of medicinal plant biodiversity has both national and global significance. MOH has
established a Traditional Medicine Directorate and has appointed a Deputy Director. This gives
added importance to the role traditional medicine plays in healthcare provision and need for
greater collaboration between MLF and MOH.
Other relevant government policies include: a) the draft National Biodiversity and the National
Forest Protection Strategy which seek to: i) safeguard genetic diversity and diversity of
indigenous species through an ecosystem approach to management within all ecological zones,
ii) improve knowledge of the distribution and status of rare, threatened and endemic fauna
species through targeted surveys, iii) enhance protection of critical areas for migratory species
through improved monitoring and habitat management, and iv) ensure sustainability and preserve
genetic diversity within non-timber forest species that are collected by rural populations for
medicinal and consumptive uses through improved data collection, regulation of harvesting, and
proactive management; and b) the just published National Land Policy (1999) which seeks the
application of the principles of sustainable resource development to the management of the
country's land and water resources.
3. Sector issues to be addressed by the project and strategic choices:
The proposed project aims to enhance the sustainable use of savanna resources (medicinal
plants, woodfuel, bushmeat, farmlands, grazing lands) through interventions to: a) support
community-based savanna woodland and wildlife resource management, b) support improved
management and monitoring of savanna biodiversity through the establishment of special
protection areas in addition to and within the existing system of savanna reserves that explicitly
incorporate biodiversity conservation as an integral management objective, c) stimulate and
support improved land management practices to support agro-biodiversity (e.g., through
reforestation of degraded savanna areas, cultivation of indigenous crops, etc), and d) efficient use
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Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
of extracted savanna products (e.g., medicinal products, bushmeat) that assures local users
sustainable benefits.
The role of women and children in sustainable use and management of savanna resources is
critical. In the savanna zone, it is clear that women are in control of the non-timber forest
products. They harvest and use them for food, fuel, medicine and fodder. They also trade in
them for limited cash income. They collect and process shea nuts into butter, baobab fruits into
condiments and leaves, stem portions and roots of various plants and herbs into medicine.
Fuelwood and charcoal production are also a female preserve and account for the employment of
a majority of rural women. Women have therefore accumulated a profound knowledge of local
ecosystems and have vital roles to play in natural resources conservation, utilization and
sustainable management.
Savanna based economic enterprises run by women are bound to suffer with savanna resource
degradation and this will negate the poverty reduction objective of the NSBCP. Hence
involvement of women in natural resources management is key to poverty reduction in the
savanna just as it is key to ensuring a balance between natural resource exploitation and systems
of sustainable savanna management.
Children and women bear the burden of environmental degradation by walking long distances to
procure forest products for household consumption. Their needs including school fees are often
met by incomes generated through various forest-based economic enterprises their mothers
engage in. As the future heirs of the environment and its resources and problems, savanna
resource management must be the business of children as it is of adults. Catching them young is
the best assurance for building their capacity and empowering them for future natural resource
conservation, utilisation and sustainable management. This would be achieved through
organising youth workshops and training camps, environmental education in school curricula,
and forming environmental clubs in schools and colleges. Encouragement and empowerment are
two key actions necessary to improve women and children's roles in natural resource
conservation, utilisation and sustainable management.
During project preparation, a PDF – Block B Grant provided an opportunity for MLF to obtain
important baseline data regarding the loss of savanna biodiversity, in particular indigenous agrobiodiversity and medicinal plant species, its impact on rural poverty and socio-economic status,
and future rural development programs was assessed (see Annexes 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10). Individual
surveys in the Upper East Region (UER), Upper West Region (UWR) and Northern region (NR)
have highlighted critical issues that would be addressed by the project during implementation.
1. Critical issues related to a sustainable community-based biodiversity conservation strategy
include;
 securing community rights over natural resources under open access regimes.
 ensuring that management schemes instituted respond to people's needs.
 identifying alternative sources and efficient uses of fuelwood, in particular those sources
obtained from wild habitats.
 developing a plan that integrates people, production, protection, integrated savanna resource
management, planning, processing and pricing.
6
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project


revitalizing the role of sacred groves.
recognizing and empowering the important role that women play in all aspects of savanna
resource use and management.
2. Critical issues related to the conservation and enhancement of savanna agro-biodiversity
include:
 the survival of 80% of indigenous farmer crop varieties (cereals, roots and tubers, legumes)
in the northern regions is threatened.
 addressing the threat of extinction of the indigenous/farmers’ crop varieties
 ensuring farmer and women participation is essential in germplasm conservation programs
and are key elements in community-based conservation and management strategies.
 documenting germplasm/farmers’ varieties that play an important role in biodiversity
conservation and sustainable use.
3. Critical issues related to medicinal plant species conservation, management and sustainable
use include:
 inadequate protection and/or management of habitats where medicinal plant species are
found in the wild.
 overharvesting of medicinal plant species from the wild. Combined research to determine
sustainable levels and methods of harvesting and application of this research to species
management in reserves and protected areas. The project will promote sustainable harvesting
of species populations.
 Inadequate knowledge and means of dissemination related to the propagation and cultivation
of medicinal plant species in home gardens, agricultural lands and plantations.
 inadequate technical skills and knowledge to allow cost-effective conservation of species and
natural habitats related to medicinal plant species. The upgrading of skills in ethno-botanical
medicine will serve to improve monitoring of plant populations and implementation of
conservation strategies.
 strengthening and upgrading the Traditional Medicine Directorate, MOH. Establishing
effective links between traditional healers and their Associations and with MLF to enhance
medicinal plant species conservation, management and sustainable use.
Community-based savanna resources management would both increase the economic returns
realized by local residents and provide direct involvement of stakeholders with most to gain (or
lose) in terms of environmental benefits from improved management. The socio-economic
survey, while providing no quantitative economic and/or market valuations of biodiversity
clearly indicated that poverty would remain a major concern.
4. Critical issues related to community awareness and participation include:
 lack of education/awareness programs to link the value of sustainable resource management
to reduced poverty. Effective conservation and resource management is needed to
complement the livelihood strategies of the people.
 while many communities are striving to be “non-bush burning” communities the problem
goes far beyond what a particular community can do or wishes to do. Community
collaboration is urgently required to map out strategies for the prevention of bush burning.
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Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project

Lack of a comprehensive market/economic valuation that distinguishes the formal and
informal sectors of the northern savanna resource economy. For example: what are the
consequences and long-term cost of the loss of environmentally adapted farmer crop varieties
and replacement by high input higher yield crop varieties? The importance of medicinal
plants to healthcare has never been evaluated, yet 88% of the population depend on it (WHO,
1999). There is a considerable trade in the regions and with neighboring countries in
medicinal plant species and parts thereof, but no market valuation.
C: Project Description Summary
1. Project components (see Annex 1):
The project envisages five main components aimed at promoting application of improved
savanna land and natural resources management techniques, involvement of communities in
savanna resources conservation, management and use. Furthermore the project will take
advantage of, and complement, the community-based management planning processes being
generated by the NRMP I for forest reserves, wildlife protected areas, savanna woodland and
integrated community based watershed management. Building on these general planning
processes, specific action programs to enhance global benefits of savanna ecosystems will be
developed and tested. Details of activities to be carried out under the following components will
be provided during the Project Appraisal Document (PAD) preparation. These will include
locations (communities), selection criteria, methods, analyses and application in enhancing
biodiversity conservation and reducing land degradation.
a. Policy Framework: Through this component the project will support the development of a
policy for the conservation and management of northern savanna biodiversity. In addition, an
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy and guidelines for protecting and sharing indigenous
knowledge will be developed. Both policies will have global implications and application
regarding medicinal plant species and farmer crop varieties and agreed upon by the communities,
farmers, and healers involved. Policy regarding Bio-prospecting would also be established under
this component.
b. Capacity Building: Under this component, the project will work closely with MOH to
strengthen and upgrade the Traditional Medicine Directorate. The directorate should be the
Ministry’s link with: (i) the Federation of Traditional Healers and Regional Healer Associations
to facilitate documentation and to ensure the protection of indigenous healthcare knowledge and
provide affordable and accessible healthcare for all, especially those communities in rural areas;
and (ii) the MLF to ensure sustainability of conservation and management programs and future
supply of medicinal plants.
In addition, support will be provided to establish a database with a GIS based spatial component
to monitor ecosystem status and change, and a herbarium will be established in Tamale with
links to the University of Development Studies (UDS) and the Ghana herbarium in Legon.
c. Biodiversity Conservation, Research and Development: This component will address
issues of resource management systems, enhanced land management, the development of
sustainable resources of threatened and/or rare medicinal plant species, and threatened and
declining agrobiodiversity. Specific management plans for selected priority areas will be
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Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
developed and remedial programs designed and implemented in cooperation with local
communities taking into account adjacent social and agricultural systems. Collaborative
biodiversity management plans will be drawn up for at least 16 priority protected forests and 3
wildlife reserves. Criteria for selection of priority areas will be based on inter alia, the biological
diversity in the area, main threats facing the area, the potential or actual cooperation and
participation of local communities, and the net global benefits (see Annex 11). The final
selection work for the sites will be undertaken during the last phase of the preparation process
and the PAD will clarify and provide all the details regarding the final selected areas.
Pilot areas
 restoration of degraded lands: 3-5 areas in the UER where the problem is greatest
 medicinal plant species cultivation: 3-5 areas in the three northern regions
 bush fire control: 3-5 areas in the three northern regions
The following activities are included in this component: (i) continue the biological and socioeconomic surveys; (ii) identification and mapping of endemic species and genetic 'hotspots'; (iii)
development of management plans and selective restoration in priority areas; (iv) identifying
changes in ecosystem and biodiversity status; and (v) determination of status and trends of
indigenous crop varieties. Support for UDS, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG),
Plant Genetic Resource Centre (PGRC) and other local institutions for biodiversity conservation
research and surveys will be included in this component.
In the last decades there has been a dramatic reduction in the use of indigenous crop varieties
including the early maturing varieties of maize, Guinea corn, millet and groundnut. Traditional
tubers and fruits such as Frafra potato, Detarium senegalensis, Gardenia aqualla, Strychnos sp
(Punpulchia), Vitex doniana berries, etc. are fast vanishing from rural markets. This activity
will, (a) establish gene banks and germplasm conservation for threatened indigenous crop
varieties, and (b) through consultative processes develop and support strategies for cultivation,
improvement and marketing of these varieties in co-operation with MoFA.
During project preparation (PDF-B activities), a traditional medicines workshop was held in
1999 which revealed that 40% of medicinal plant species used by healers in the treatment of 10
major diseases were threatened. Along with identifying sustainable harvesting guidelines for
wild and protected savanna forest sites, cultivation offers a means of minimizing the threatened
extinction of medicinal plant species. Under this component, a gene bank for medicinal plants
and threatened indigenous crops will be set up at Tamale, and will be linked to PGRC and
Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI).
A market/economic valuation of the informal healthcare system dependent on medicinal plant
species will provide the GOG with quantitative information. This information will identify the
important role such plants play in providing affordable healthcare and the urgent need to
conserve and manage this valuable resource of global significance.
d. Community-Based Management Actions: This component addresses community-based
actions that build upon the indigenous knowledge related to the management and sustainable use
of resources. These two components (c and d) are intrinsically linked to the Bank's holistic
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Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF) because they preserve and build upon
indigenous knowledge that has evolved over millenia. A number of traditional and NGO
initiatives on biodiversity conservation exist outside government protected areas. Some of these
(especially sacred groves etc.) are important for regional biodiversity conservation and the
promotion of indigenous culture. Sacred groves are the traditional mechanism for protecting
biodiversity particularly medicinal plant species, but even these are under threat from changes in
beliefs and practices if not because of pressures from uncontrolled burning and agricultural
expansion. Also opportunities exist for bringing intact ‘wilderness areas under management and
improving the status and management of sacred groves.
An important focus of this component is the conservation, management and sustainable use of
agro-biodiversity, i.e., the indigenous farmer crop varieties adapted to local environments and
insect/pest infestations during pre- and post-harvest periods. The survey carried out under the
PDF – Block B grant provided important information on the number of threatened indigenous
cereals, roots/tubers and legumes rural communities depend on for food and income. Under the
PAD, details of a program to protect indigenous crop varieties in the three northern regions will
be identified. It will include actions to (i) document indigenous crop varieties, (ii) identify
threatened varieties and their locations, (iii) register farmers who maintain field genebanks (iv)
support and enhance continuous cultivation/propagation of such species and varieties, (v)
reintroduce varieties and/or test out varieties in other areas; and (vi) contribute to the global
network for the protection of indigenous farmer crop varieties.
Community-based natural resource action plans to enhance sustainable use of medicinal plants
and other savanna resources would be prepared and implemented under this component, and a
comprehensive public education and awareness campaign at all levels carried out. The natural
resource management plans will be an extension of the pilot activities described in component
(c) and will be directed to the widespread sustainable conservation and production of critical
savanna resources. A large part of health services for people and animals in the three northern
regions depends on savanna resources and an important component of nutrition depends on
savanna tree, shrub and animal resources: e.g. shea nuts, guinea fowl and a variety of bushmeats.
This component aims to develop such awareness and understanding through three inter-linked
activities; a) the development and implementation of a general biodiversity conservation and
awareness program including the multiple practical uses of the diverse natural resources of the
region, b) codification and dissemination of best management practices for land degradation
control and rehabilitation, rehabilitation and woodlot development, fire prevention and control,
and c) the incorporation of biodiversity awareness into the curricula of schools training programs
and the university. This component would also help develop the curricula and training materials.
e. Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation: This component will support: (i) the
establishment of a Project Monitoring and Coordinating Unit supervised by a coordinator
(consultant) for a period of 6 years; and (ii) contribute to the capacity of the SRMC to monitor
and evaluate activities related to the conservation, management and sustainable use of savanna
resources. In addition, the institutional and technical capacity needed by SRMC to appropriately
monitor and evaluate policy implementation will be established.
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Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
Component
Category
% of
Total
Policy Framework,
Indicative
Costs
(US$M)
0.5
6
Bankfinancing
(US$M)
1.2
Capacity Building
0.8
10.5
1.2
9.4
Biodiversity Conservation, Research and
Development
3.3
43.4
5.0
39.4
Community-based Management Initiatives
2.4
31.6
3.5
27.6
Project Management, Monitoring and
Evaluation
0.6
7.9
1.8
14.4
100.0
12.7
100
Total 7.6
% of
Bankfinancing
9.4
2. Key policy and institutional reforms to be sought:
Through the project and the work under the NRMP, a general regional policy for conserving
savanna biodiversity would be developed; the institutional and technical capacity needed to
support this policy will be attained and appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems
established. The development of the Natural Resource Management Project (NRMP) phase II
and III would link with this project and address activities that have more local and national
benefits. The project will take advantage of, and learn from the community-based management
planning processes being generated by the NRMP I for forest reserves, wildlife protected areas,
savanna woodland, and integrated community based watershed management. Building on these
general planning processes, specific action programs to enhance global benefits in the savanna
zone would be developed and tested.
A national biodiversity strategy and action plan exists but it is concentrating on the high forest
zone. Moreover, it does not address issues related to land degradation in the northern savanna
regions. Also, specific regional policies are required to address the special needs of the northern
savanna zones taking into account the different ethnic and cultural perspectives. The policies
should address issues of community rights over natural resources under open access regimes.
The policy framework will be developed through a consultative process involving traditional
authorities, District and Regional Assemblies, government agencies (such as EPA, MLF and
MEST) and NGOs and taking particular notice of the role of women and other vulnerable
groups.
The Savannah Resource Management Centre (SRMC) has been established under NRMP I with
a multidisciplinary Team seconded from sectoral agencies. A biodiversity section within SRMC
will be established under this project to support and boost the SRMC capacity. Under this
project, the project coordinator for biodiversity will be contracted to lead the biodiversity section
of SRMC. The development of this capacity is an important pre-requisite for successful
completion of the project. Various units like FSD and WD under MLF and EPA, FORIG, etc
11
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
have responsibilities that include biodiversity but are not specifically focused or lack the
necessary capacity and the coordinating mechanism between them to fully focus on biodiversity
conservation in northern Ghana. A savanna biodiversity consultative group including relevant
government institutions, NGOs and political and traditional authorities (with appropriate and
acceptable gender representation) will be established under the general leadership of the SRMC
and supported by the project coordinator.
3. Benefits and target population:
The main benefits of the project would be the conservation, management and sustainable use of
Ghanaian savanna ecosystems and their unique biodiversity with increased participation of the
local communities. The principal project beneficiaries would be the communities of the northern
savanna zone, with secondary benefits to people in other regions, from improved use of savanna
resources. Rural communities would benefit from improved management and availability of
threatened natural and agrobiological resources. Health of people and livestock will be improved
through the use of an appropriate and sustainable system of harvesting and cultivation that allows
for the systematized use of proven plant medicinal products. The environmentally sustainable
use of woodlandt and wildlife reserves and adjacent lands would preserve global biodiversity and
enhance rural incomes in addition to benefiting from enhanced environmental, soil, water and
wildlife habitat management. Improvement of degraded lands will have similar effects.
Improved management and conservation of biodiversity would ensure a continued supply of nontimber savanna resources, including medicinal plants which will differentially impact the poorest
segments of the population. The identification, conservation and propagation of medicinal plants
would also enhance global knowledge and understanding of these resources. The replicable
lessons learned through conservation of indigenous agro-biodiversity would also potentially
benefit people in the entire African savanna environment.
4. Institutional and implementation arrangements:
The overall implementing agency would be the Ministry of Lands and Forestry (MLF) through
the Forestry Commission and its relevant divisions in the three northern regions. The daily
implementation activities will be done through the SRMC and the Biodiversity Co-ordinator.
MLF will collaborate with the Traditional Medicine Directorate (TMD) of the Ministry of Health
(MOH) on implementation of the medicinal plant component. At the local level implementation
will be through the SRMC Biodiversity Coordinator, in collaboration with regional and district
administrations including regional and district MOFA and EPA offices; community associations,
including traditional healer associations and NGOs such as Suntaa-Nuntaa and Taimako Herbal
Clinic.
The project would be located in the SRMC in Tamale and will be integrated under the overall
coordination of the SRMP. A biodiversity consultant will be recruited to coordinate the
implementation of activities under the biodiversity project with a traditional health systems
specialist seconded from MOH. Other associated implementation agencies include the
University of Development Studies (UDS) and the Northern office of the FORIG for training and
research, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoFA) and SARI for agro-biodiversity and the EPA for
land degradation. The multi-disciplinary nature of the SRMC will facilitate coordination of
implementation.
12
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
The project would develop mechanisms to ensure the coordination and collaboration among
present and proposed future donor activities relating to protected areas management. The project
would be pro-active in its efforts to disseminate information with other donors, arranging of
study tours to sites supported by other donors, joint workshops for government staff and local
community groups. The project will hold regular briefings with other donors and will ensure
consistency in objectives.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Project monitoring and evaluation will be carried out at two levels (local, national) and will
involve various agencies. The Project would establish a monitoring system to routinely track
and report on project performance through quarterly and annual reports. Annual work plans
would be formulated each year with specific milestones and deliverables. The monitoring and
evaluation system would include a set of indicators derived from the "Guidelines for Monitoring
and Evaluation for Biodiversity Projects" published by the GEF in June 1998. Lessons learned
as the project progresses will be taken into account.
D: Project Rationale
1. Project alternatives considered and reasons for rejection:
Ghana's northern savannas support approximately 20% of the national population and constitute
critical components of the national economy. Productivity of the savanna zone relies heavily on
the biodiversity and natural resources (see Annex 6). Continued viability of the biodiversity
resources in the zone is key to maintaining the aforementioned productivity. Documentation and
conservation of biodiversity resources in the region would be important for the whole savanna
zone across Africa. In addition, the economic importance of native food crops species and
medicinal plants to the overall development of Ghana cannot be overemphasized. For example,
modern health facilities in Ghana are poorly developed. 70% of health services and
establishments are provided by government, but these are based mainly in urban areas.
Currently, for reported illnesses in children in Ghana, 57% received no treatment, 32% are
home-treated, and only 11% visit a health post (WHO 1999). Similarly, modern health centres
and clinics are the source of only 12% of healthcare and drugs. Consequently, 85-90% of the
population living in over 47,000 rural settlements have limited access to government health
facilities. This limited access to modern health facilities means that most rural communities rely
on home administered services by women and traditional herbalists who in turn rely on
indigenous plants for medicines. Hence the in-situ/ex-situ conservation of these plant species is
of paramount importance to Ghana for health and economic reasons . Also, continued work on
medicinal plants and traditional medicines has global benefits. Natural and agricultural
biodiversity has declined and this presents a major economic threat to the people of the northern
regions.
Management of biodiversity in the arid and semi-arid savanna ecosystem has not been
adequately covered by NRMP I. The emphasis in this project is placed on a broader based
operation which would focus on the sustainable management of northern savanna resources
while reducing poverty and combating land degradation (see Annex 5). This project is needed to
define a clear path for targeted management of the savanna zone. Whereas NRMP I is
developing overall strategy, there is a need to systematically define and develop specific action
13
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
programs to enhance global benefits by conserving savanna resources and combating
desertification. This project defines and develops concrete steps that would be undertaken in
order to achieve the global benefits of biodiversity and natural resource management in the
savanna areas of northern Ghana. The development of NRMP II and III will link with this
project and address activities that have local and national benefits.
2. Major related projects financed by the Bank and/or other development agencies (completed, ongoing
and planned):
Sector issue
Bank-financed
Sustainable forest management
Project
Latest Supervision (Form 590)
Ratings
(Bank-financed projects only)
Implementation
Development
Progress (IP)
Objective
(DO)
Forest Resource
Management Project
S
S
Environmental management
capacity
Environmental Resource
Management Project
S
S
Natural resources management
Natural Resources
Management Project I
Other development agencies
Preservation of sacred groves and
related cultural heritage
Environmental Protection
Agency (UNESCO/MAB)
Transition forest and savanna
woodland protection and
management
Forest Protection and
Resource Use Management
Project for the Volta
Region (Germany/GTZ)
Conservation of medicinal plant
species
Taimako Herbal Clinic/
Medicinal Plant Species
Nursery (UNDP)
People, Land Management and
Environmental Change (PLEC)
People, Land Management
and Environmental Change
(PLEC) (UNEP/GEF)
IP/DO Ratings: HS (Highly Satisfactory), S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), HU (Highly
Unsatisfactory)
3. Lessons learned and reflected in proposed project design:
The Forest Resource Management Project (FRMP) became effective in November 1989 and was
completed in June, 1997. The FRMP helped to put in place a number of key policy and institutional
reforms including: i) strengthened management capacity within the MLF leading to improved forest
sector monitoring and regulation; ii) improved capacity of the Wildlife Department for protected areas
(PAs) management; and iii) some progress in on-farm tree planting through re-orienting the Agroforestry Unit towards supporting community nurseries and implementing a promising pilot for locally-
14
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
based savanna woodland management in the Upper East Region through the now defunct Rural Forestry
Division. Initial shortcomings of the FRMP included the failure to address critical policy issues such as
the overlap between the mandates of various forest sector agencies and the critical role of non-timber
forest products (NTFPs) in rural communities health and wellbeing. This project would streamline
implementation by concentrating support on key agencies and communities involved directly in
management of the savannas; specific programmatic focus is also allocated to cultural sites, medicinal
plants and agro-biodiversity.
The Coastal Wetlands Management Project (CWMP), financed by the GEF as an integral part of the
Ghana Environmental Resource Management Project (ERMP) became effective in March 1993 and was
due to close in December, 1997 but was extended to December, 1999. CWMP addressed the issue of
maintaining the ecological integrity of coastal wetland ecosystems under a multiple use management
regime, with significant involvement of local stakeholders in both planning and implementation. The
project has enabled the Wildlife Department to gain valuable experience in locally-based cooperative
management of protected areas, with the goal of safeguarding globally important biodiversity within a
management regime that recognizes the access and use of rights of local residents, and seeks to stimulate
economic growth that is compatible with maintaining global and national conservation values. This
project fully integrates these lessons through the component on Community-Based Management
Actions. Under the Biodiversity Conservation, Research and Development component, a gene bank
in Tamale and germplasm conservation at PGRC at Bunso for medicinal plants and threatened
indigenous crops would be set up, community-based action plans to enhance sustainable use of
medicinal plants and other savanna resources would be prepared and implemented and a
comprehensive public education and awareness campaign at all levels will be carried out.
People, Land Management and Environmental Change (PLEC), financed by GEF through
UNEP, became effective in April 1997, and focuses on agricultural lands located in priority
ecosystems and managed by farmers and pastoralists. PLEC is a multi-country project with
activities in Ghana, Brazil, China, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, and Uganda. The
purpose of the project is to provide strategic and timely recommendations to governments and
local communities for achieving world food security while protecting global biodiversity and
conserving resources. The PLEC approach is to collaborate with farmers and local communities
in identifying appropriate conservation approaches that are socially and financially sustainable.
Activities in Ghana are located at Gyamfiase-Adenya (Collaborative Agro-ecosystems
Management), Amanase (Sustainable Land use Conservation and Management), Sekesua
(Agroforestry and intensification using indigenous species), Jachie, near Kumasi (mobilizing
people conservation while improving their income through alternative livelihood activities).
Lessons learned from these activities (e.g., the untapped potential of agrobiodiversity as a
contribution to biodiversity conservation, etc.) will be brought to bear on the design and
implementation of this project.
To achieve successful natural resource management, people need to understand the practical
importance of biodiversity conservation and see it working in their local context. This
component aims to develop such awareness and understanding through two inter-linked
activities; a) the development and implementation of a general biodiversity conservation and
awareness program including the multiple practical uses of the diverse natural resources of the
region, and b) codification and dissemination of best management practices for land degradation
control and rehabilitation, rehabilitation and woodlot development, fire prevention and control.
15
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
Comments from the STAP Reviewer (Annex 4a and 4b) are being taken into account and are
being incorporated into project design where appropriate. During the appraisal phase,
mechanisms will be identified to ensure that the sustainable use of natural resources will
contribute effectively to the improvement of income and livelihood conditions to local
communities, and hence ensure the social and institutional sustainability of the project
objectives.
4. Indications of borrower commitment and ownership:
Ghana has ratified the conventions most relevant to the proposed project: Biodiversity
(CBD: 8/29/94), Climate Change (FCCC: 9/6/95), and Desertification (CCD: 12/27/96). By
financing the incremental costs of improved drylands resources husbandry and broadening
participation of the primary stakeholders, GEF financing has the potential for protecting globally
significant biodiversity, enhancing sustainable resource use, and alleviating poverty among the
primary stakeholders. The project is consistent with GEF Operational Strategies that address the
twin issues of biodiversity conservation in arid and semi-arid zone ecosystems and combating
land degradation. The project focuses on local communities as managers and beneficiaries of
better and sustainable use of natural resources in the savannas and promotes economic livelihood
activities through enhanced use of traditional and indigenous knowledge, medicinal plant species
and their products.
The adoption in 1994 of a new Forest and Wildlife Policy and subsequent (1996) preparation of a
Forestry Development Master Plan provide a good foundation for implementing this project.
The Master Plan includes strategies for forest protection and increasing local communities
involvement in woodland management. Government commitment to implementation of
biodiversity conservation plans include the preparation of a Protected Areas Systems Plan under
an IDA-financed Forestry Project (1990) and inclusion of biodiversity protection and
maintenance of bioquality as key elements of the sector development master plan. A Traditional
Medicine Practices Bill was submitted to the Ghanaian Parliament in December 1999. The Bill
recognizes the enormous role and potential that traditional medicines offer in primary healthcare,
especially for poor rural and urban communities.
5. Value added of Bank and GEF support in this project:
NRMP I seeks to establish policy, legal and institutional frameworks for implementing
ecologically and socio-economically sustainable resource use and management systems in the
high forest and savanna zones. The completion and adoption of a National Action Program to
Combat Desertification is expected to be realized under NRMP I. NRMP I was approved by the
IDA Board in May 1998 and became effective in June, 1999. It includes a GEF-funded
component (GH-GE-45188) which addresses biodiversity conservation within the high forest
zone. IDA funding committed for the two-year (NRMP I) of the program (1999-2000) totals $
9.3 million and the GEF has committed $ 8.7 million for the high forest Biodiversity
Conservation component (1999 - 2004).
The NRMP I has several components with the overall development objective of protecting,
rehabilitating, and sustainably managing land, forest and wildlife resources and to sustainably
increase the income of rural communities who own these resources. However, the management
of the arid and semi-arid savanna ecosystem has not been adequately covered by NRMP I. This
project is needed to define a clear path for targeted management of biodiversity of the savanna
16
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
zone. Whereas NRMP I and II are developing overall strategy, there is a need to systematically
define and develop specific action programs to enhance global benefits by conserving savanna
resources and combating desertification. This project defines and develops concrete steps that
would need to be undertaken in order to achieve the global benefits of natural resource
management in Ghana's northern savanna zone.
Other donor agencies are interested in the sustainable development of the northern savanna
resources and support of the SRMC. These include DANIDA (traditional energy resources),
WFP (support of sustainable agriculture), Netherlands (Mole National Park) and a number of
NGO’s. Inclusion of GEF-financed biodiversity conservation in the savannas would ensure that
maintenance of bioquality and combating land degradation are well coordinated with the overall
program for securing sustainable management of savanna resources.
E: Issues Requiring Special Attention
1. Economic
[ ] Summarize issues below (e.g., fiscal impact, pricing distortions)
[X] To be defined (indicate how issues will be identified) [ ] None
Economic evaluation methods:
[ ] Cost benefit
[X] Cost effectiveness
[X] Incremental Cost
----[
]
Other
[specify]
See Annex 3 for a detailed analysis of the incremental costs.
2. Financial
[ ]Summarize issues below(e.g., cost recovery, tariff policies, financial controls and accountability)
[X] To be defined (indicate how issues will be identified) [ ] None
3. Technical
[ ] Summarize issues below (e.g., appropriate technology, costing)
[X] To be defined (indicate how issues will be identified) [ ] None
4. Institutional
[ ] Summarize issues below (e.g., project management, M&E capacity, administrative regulations)
[X] To be defined (indicate how issues will be identified) [ ] None
The project would be implemented by the Ministry of Land and Forests (MLF) as the lead
agency through the Forestry Service and Wildlife Division and SRMC, and at the local level
through the regional and district administrations, community associations, including traditional
healer groups, and NGOs. Associated implementing agencies include the Ministry of Food and
Agriculture (MoFA) for agricultural biodiversity and land and water management, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for environmental management coordination, the
Ministry of Health (MOH) as partner in protecting indigenous healthcare resources and
knowledge and provider of affordable healthcare, and the Ministry of Local Government and
Rural Development with the District assemblies for local level natural resource management.
17
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
All the mentioned agencies are represented in the Steering Committee of the SRMC. Other
agencies to be involved include the Ghana National Fire Service (NFS) for fire protection, the
Upper Region Agricultural Development Project (URADEP) and local and regional NGO’s.
5. Social
[ ] Summarize issues below (e.g., significant social risks, ability to target low income and other
vulnerable groups)
[X] To be defined (indicate how issues will be identified) [ ] None
Participatory rural appraisals will be part of the project's management planning process in order to
ensure that local communities concerns are addressed effectively. The management plan would need the
endorsement of the affected communities. Therefore, the project will be characterized by a strong
participatory approach from the outset. It would build on lessons learned in community participation and
management in the GEF-financed Coastal Wetlands Management Project and in the community
consultation approach used in GEF-sponsored coastal zone management sector work. Investments in
alternative livelihoods (targeting women, the poorest, etc) to compensate for forgone short-term revenues
due to adoption of a more controlled management regime for high-priority savanna biodiversity
conservation sites would be channeled through community-based mechanisms to finance environmentally
sound and sustainable activities. IPRs would be protected under this project. There will be no
resettlement undertaken in this project.
6. Environmental
a. Environmental issues: The overall objectives of the project relate to environmental protection,
biodiversity conservation and management. The project would seek to actively and effectively engage the
local stakeholders in the sustainable management of the Ghana's northern savannas.
[ ] Summarize issues below (distinguish between major issues and less important ones)
[X] To be defined (indicate how issues will be identified) [ ] None
Major:
Other:
b. Environmental category:
[]
A
[]
B
[X]
C
c. Justification/Rationale for category rating:
The project's objectives are to achieve sustainable management of the savanna resources of
northern Ghana. There are no negative direct or indirect environmental effects of any project
component, thus there would be no separate Environmental Assessment prepared for the project.
The project's field operations are being implemented in an area known to be subjected to
inappropriate and illegal woodfuel harvesting, hunting, and wildlife trade. If successful, the
project would help to reduce and control such practices.
d. Status of Category A assessment:
EA start-up date:
Date of first EA draft:
Current status:
e. Proposed actions:
f. Status of any other environmental studies:
g. Local groups and NGOs consulted: (List names): See table below
NGOS DEALING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
IN NORTHERN REGION
18
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
NAME
Aid for Development
(AFORD)
Gub-Katimali
Amasachina
Partners in participatory
Development (PAPADEV)
Tiyumba Integrated
Development Association
(TIDA)
Katchito Community
Development Centre
(KCODEC)
Bimoba Literacy Farmers Cooperative Union (BILFACU)
Presby Mile 7 Agricultural
Station
Langbensi Agricultural Station
Catholic Relief Services
Adventist Development Relief
Agency
Ghana-Danish Community
Project
Village Aid
Tamale Arch Diocesan
Agricultural Project (TAAP)
Tamaiko Herbal Clinic
Upper East Woman's Group
Santee-Nuntaa
31st December Women's
Movement
ADDRESS
P.O. Box 1415, Tamale, Tel.
071-22985
P.O. Box 629, Tamale
P.O. Box 798, Tamale, Tel.
071-22803
P. O. Box 1336, Tamale
CONTACT
Mr. Baba Ibrahim
P. O. Box 508, Tamale
Mr. Alhassan Seidu
P. O. Box 68, Damongo,
Tel.0717-22023; P. O. Box
632, Tamale, Tel.071-23736
c/o P. O. Box 128 Education,
Ridge, Tamale
Mr. Issahaku Bin Iddrisu
Tamale
Langbensi
Tamale
P. O. Box 883, Tamale
Tel.071-22887
Mr. Yakubu Abdul-Kareem
Mr. Issa Salifu
Mr. E. M. Telly
Siat Kantrib, Bunkpurugu
J.K. Lambongan, MaatanTudu
Mr. Adjetey
Mr. Dan Kolibilla
Deputy Country Director
Mr. Okyere Boadu
Project co-ordinator, GDCP,
Dalun
Mr. Sam Salifu
Mr. Timothy Kipo
Tamale
Tamale, NR.
Bolatanga, UER
Wa, UWR
Tel.071-23240
Madame Tamaiko
Deacon Robert Loggah
Mrs. Agatha
h. Resettlement
[ ] Summarize issues below (e.g., resettlement planning, compensation)
[ ] To be defined (indicate how issues will be identified) [X] None
No involuntary or voluntary resettlement is planned under the project. The project's aim is rather to better
engage rural communities where they currently reside in management and sustainable use of savanna
resources.
i. Borrower permission to release EA:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
j. Other remarks:
19
[ ] N/A
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
7. Participatory Approach:
As mentioned before, participatory decision making in design and implementation forms the core of this
project. Through the Savanna Resource Management Centre and its multi-agency setup, community
participation is direct and the role of local government is guaranteed. Information sharing among all
stakeholders will be key in project design and implementation.
a. Primary beneficiaries and other affected groups:
[X] Name and describe groups, how involved, and what they have influenced.
[ ] Not applicable (describe why participatory approach not applicable with these groups)
Stakeholders and Beneficiaries
Preparation
Implementation
Operation
Farmers/community groups
CON
COL
COL
NGOs
CON
COL
CON/COL
Academic institutions
CON/IS
Government (local and national)
CON/COL
COL
COL
Other donors
CON/IS/COL
COL
CON/IS/COL
Traditional healers
CON/IS
COL
COL/IS
CON/COL
Note: CON: consultation; COL: collaboration; IS: information sharing
b. Other key stakeholders:
[X] Name and describe groups, how involved, and what they have influenced.
[ ] Not applicable (describe why participatory approach not applicable with these groups)
The African Virtual University Project, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi would be
involved in the production public education materials (such as instruction videos) for
communities involved. The Centre for Scientific Research in Plant Medicine at Mampong and
the Noguchi Memorial Institute will continue to assist in identifying the safety and efficacy of
traditional herbal medicines. The Traditional Medicine Programme, World Health Organization
(WHO) has linked with AFTR2 to identify traditional herbal medicines used in the treatment of
malaria under the Roll Back Malaria Program and opportunistic diseases associated with
HIV/AIDS in Ghana, Benin and Nigeria.
20
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
8. Checklist of Bank Policies
a. This project involves (check applicable items):
[]
Indigenous peoples (OD 4.20)
[]
Riparian water rights
[X]
[]
Cultural property (OPN 11.03)
Environmental impacts
[]
[]
Financial management (OP 10.02)
(BP 10.02)
Financing of recurrent costs
(OMS 1.21)
[]
Local cost sharing
(OP 7.50)
(OP 4.01)
[X]
(BP 4.01)
(GP 7.50)
(GP 4.01)
Natural habitats
(OP 4.01)
(BP 7.50)
[X]
(BP 4.01)
Gender issues (OP 4.20)
(GP 4.01)
(OP 6.30)
[]
Involuntary resettlement (OD 4.30)
[]
[]
NGO involvement (GP 14.70)
[]
[X]
NGO involvement (OP 4.36)
[]
[]
(BP 6.30)
(GP 6.30)
Cost-sharing above country three-year average
(GP 6.30)
(OP 6.30)
(BP 6.30)
Retroactive financing above normal limit
(OP 12.10)
Disputed territory
(OP 7.60)
(BP 7.60)
(GP 7.60)
Other (provide necessary details)
b. Describe issue(s) involved, not already discussed above:
F: Sustainability and Risks
1. Sustainability:
Government's commitment in terms of sustaining policy reforms as well as staff and
funding of project initiatives after the project ends is crucial. Success in developing communitybased project design and implementation is necessary if there is to be enduring project ownership
by the beneficiaries. Using clearly defined benchmarks, the project seeks to enhance sustainable
community use and management of savanna resources while ensuring that globally significant
biodiversity resources are protected (see Annex 5). This enhanced protection of biodiversity will
need to be based on negotiated agreements with the affected local communities that demonstrate
locally verifiable benefits in the form of alternative livelihood system. The success of the project
in encouraging reforestation and rehabilitation of degraded savanna areas is crucial to the
sustainability of the envisioned biodiversity conservation measures. Hence, Government's
commitment to improving community knowledge and field capacity for effective stewardship of
biodiversity resources through integrated land management strategies will ultimately determine
the sustainability of conservation achievements.
21
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
2. Critical Risks (reflecting assumptions in the fourth column of Annex 1):
Risk
Risk Rating
Risk Minimization Measure
Annex 1, cell "from Outputs to Objective"
Lack of institutional capacity and collaboration for
biodiversity conservation, management and
utilization
M
Funds will be provided to
strengthen capacity of
collaborating institutions
N
Establishment of a Project
Coordinator with adequate staff
and authority
M
Local community outreach and
training included in project
activities secure their active
collaboration
Delayed collaboration between participating
N
ministries (MLF, MOH, MOFA)
Overall Risk Rating
Resources provided to facilitate
collaboration
Annex 1, cell "from Components to Outputs"
Delays in the development of project management
capacity
Lack of motivation and collaboration of local
communities to develop and adopt sustainable
management practices
Risk Rating - H (High Risk), S (Substantial Risk), M (Modest Risk), N (Negligible or Low Risk)
G: Project Preparation and Processing
1. Advice/consultation outside country department:
[X] Within the Bank:
[ ] Other development agencies:
Annex 4a STAP review comments.
[X] External Review: See
2. Composition of Task Team (see Annex 2)
The Task Team will be led by Hassan Hassan, and will include Solomon Bekure, Edward F. Dwumfour,
John Lambert and Enos Esikuri.
4. Quality Assurance Arrangements
Sustainable Land Resources Management (SLRM) Thematic group will be consulted regularly for
exchange of views regarding quality assurance.
5. Management Decisions:
Total Preparation Budget: (US$000) Bank Budget: (US$000) Trust Fund: (US$000)
Cost to Date: (US$000) GEF resources of $ 85,000 for supervision and $ 330,000 as PDF-B.
GO [ ]
NO GO [ ]
Further Review [Expected Date]
22
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project
[signature]
Task Team Leader/Task Manager:
[signature]
Sector Manager/Director:
X
[signature]
Country Manager/Director:
23
Annex 1
Project Design Summary
Ghana: Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation
Hierarchy of Objectives
A. Sector-related CAS Goal:
1. To improve healthcare,
environment and livelihoods
in the northern savanna zone
Key Performance
Indicators
Sector Indicators:
Monitoring and
Evaluation
Sector/Country
Reports:
Critical
assumptions
(from Goal to
Bank Mission)
A.1 Improved healthcare and
livelihood systems through
biodiversity conservation and
sustainable use
A.1 Government
publications
B.1 In-situ conservation and
management in protected
savanna forests and
surrounding habitats
B.1 MLF /SRMP
report
Improved
management of
biodiversity and
enhanced
sustainable social
and economic
development
through
improvement in
livelihoods and
health
B. GEF Operational
Program Goal
1. To assess and conserve
biodiversity in the northern
savanna zone
B.2 GEF-Project
Progress Report
Project Development
Objective:
1. Improve livelihood and
health of communities in
the northern savanna zone
of Ghana through the
conservation and
sustainable use of natural
resources including
medicinal plants
Global Objectives:
1. Identify, monitor and
conserve key components
of the biodiversity in
northern Ghanaian savanna
through i) protecting
existing biodiversity in and
around preserve areas, ii)
identifying priority
endemic species and
habitats, iii) protecting
sacred groves and
medicinal plants, and iv)
maintaining indigenous
crop varieties
Output from each component
Outcome/Impact
Indicators:
Project
Reports:
(from Objective
to Goal)
1.1 Improved biodiversity
conservation, key
biodiversity areas
identified and protected
1.1 Published
Reports
1.2 Declining threat to
plants and animals and
increased populations of
species, especially
threatened agrobiodiversity and medicinal
plant species.
1.2 Published
Reports
GOG
commitment to
conservation,
management and
sustainable
utilization
remains strong
1.3 Functioning database
and monitoring system
1.3 Published
Reports
1.4 Active participation of
communities in
conservation, management
and sustainable use
programs
1.4 Baseline
survey and
Project Progress
Report
Project Reports:
Policy Framework
25
Local authorities
and communities
co-operate and
support these
activities
1.1 Policy for northern savanna
biodiversity conservation and
management formulated
1.1 Policy and guidelines
developed by end PY 2002 and
fully implemented end PY 2004
1.2 Intellectual Property Rights
(IPR) and Bioprospecting
policies and guidelines for
sharing traditional healthcare
knowledge established
1.2 IPR and
Bioprospecting policies
and guidelines with
specific focus on human
and livestock healthcare
developed by PY 2002
and implemented by PY
2004
2.0 Capacity Building
2.1 Biodiversity component of
SRMC fully operational and
management procedures
established
2.1 1 Institutional
assessment conducted and
training needs identified
by PY 2001
2.1.2 Training completed
by PY 2002
2.2 Traditional Medicine
Directorate capacity for
implementing activities
strengthened and institutional
collaboration established.
3.0 Biodiversity
Conservation, Research
and Development
3.1 Detailed socioeconomic and biological
surveys and zoning
conducted for the 16
forest, 3 wildlife reserves
and adjacent lands.
3.2 Region and
community biodiversity
management plan for 16
forest, 3 wildlife reserves
and adjacent lands
2.1.3 Professional
assessment of status after
by end PY 2002
1.1 Project
supervision reports
1.2 Project
supervision reports
2.1.1 Project
supervision reports
2.1.2 Project
supervision reports
2.1.3
Implementation
completion report
2.1.4. Project
supervision reports MOH fully
supports TM
2.1.4 Biodiversity
2.2.1. Project
Directorate
component of SRMC fully
supervision reports strengthening
operational by end PY
and MOH progress
2002
reports
2.2 1 Institutional
assessment conducted and
training needs identified
by PY 2001
2.2.2 Training completed
by PY 2002
2.2.3 Professional
assessment of status after
by end PY 2002
3.1.1 Surveys completed
26
2.2.2 Project
supervision reports
2.2.3
Implementation
completion report
3.1.1 Baseline
survey and PMCU
progress report
Communities
will not encroach
on forest and
wildlife reserves
and will
collaborate in
achieving
developed and
implemented
by end PY 2002
sustainable
management
objectives.
3.3 Endemic species and
"hotspots" identified in the
northern savanna zone and 3.2.1. Management plans
priority areas located
for 16 forests, 3 wildlife
reserves and adjacent
3.4 9 -15 pilot areas:
lands adopted by PY 2003
 3-5 degraded lands
 3-5 medicinal plant
3.3.1 Surveys completed
species
by end PY 2002
 3-5 fire control
3.5 Strategies for
protection and cultivation
of indigenous crop
varieties developed.
3.2.1 PMCU
reports
3.3.1 PMCU
reports
3.4.1 Pilot areas
3.4.1 Project
guidelines identified by
supervision and
PY 2002 and implemented PMCU reports
by PY 2003.
4.0. Community-based
Management Actions
4.1 Field genebanks and
3.5.1 Strategies
strategies for sustainable
implemented by PY 2002
production of threatened
agro-biodiversity
(indigenous crop varieties)
and medicinal plant
species established
4.2 Guidelines for
community-based
resource management
action plans to enhance
sustainable use of savanna
resources including
harvesting regulations for
medicinal plants
developed
4.3 Ex-situ pilot
cultivation trials of
threatened and rare
medicinal plants used in
human and livestock
3.5.1 Project
supervision and
PMCU reports
4.1.1 Field genebanks
established and strategies
implemented by end PY
2002
Communities
can provide early
warning of
impacts on
species before
changes in
4.1.1 Project
numbers become
supervision reports apparent
and PMCU reports
4.1.2 Number of farmers
with field genebanks
registered
4.1.2 Project
supervision reports
4.2.1 Action plans
implemented by PY 2001
27
4.2.1 Guideline
documents
published by the
SRMC
healthcare initiated
4.4 Education and mass
awareness campaigns
publicizing value of
biodiversity and medicinal
plant species conservation
and management
implemented.
5.0 Project Management,
Monitoring and Evaluation
4..3.1 Number of pilot
cultivation trials initiated
by end PY 2002,
including number of
people engaged.
4.4.1 Pilot programs
implemented by PY 2003.
Number of awareness
programs undertaken.
5.1 Project Management
Coordinating Unit (PMCU)
fully operational
5.2. Biodiversity project
monitoring and evaluation
system developed and
implemented
Public interest
and support of
communities and
4.3.1 Project
commitment to
supervision reports sustainable
and PMCU reports resource
use/conservation
activities
4.4.1 Education
and mass
awareness
documents
Commitment by
MLF to support
PMCU and
implement the
Project
5.1.1 PMCU Coordinator
contracted for duration of
project
5.1.2 PCMU fully
operational by end PYT
2001
5.1.1 Contract
approved
5.2.1 Monitoring and
evaluation system
operational by end PY
2001
5.1.2 Project
supervision reports
Project Components/sub
components
Inputs (Budget)
1. Policy Framework
0.5
2. Capacity Building
0.8
3. Biodiversity
Conservation, Research
and Development
3.3
2.4
4. Community-based
Management Actions
0.6
28
5.2.1 Project
supervision reports
Project
Reports:
(from
Components to
Outputs)
Project Reports
and
Disbursement
Reports
GOG
commitment to
project remains
strong
Project Reports
and
Disbursement
Timely
execution of key
studies
5. Project Management,
Monitoring and
Evaluation
Reports
Total: U.S. $7.6 million
Project Reports
and
Disbursement
Reports
29
Timely
procurement of
goods and
services
Annex 2
Project Preparation Team
A. Core Project Preparation Team
Name
Bank
Unit
Hassan Hassan
Solomon Bekure
ENV
AFC10
John Lambert
AFTR2
Enos Esikuri
ENV
Edward
Dwumfour
AFC10
Maja Naur
(Economist tbd)
Francois
Decaillet
Consultant
AFTH3
Role/
Responsibility
Team Leader
Overall Sector
Leader
Medicinal
Plants Expert
Biodiversity/Na
tural Resources
Expert
Natural
Resources
Expert
Sociologist
Public Health
Expert
30
Name
Borrower
Agency
M. Bilijo
M. Abu-Juam
MLF
MLF
David Miller
SRMC/
MLF
MLF
Mathew Ababio
TMD/MOH
Role/Resp
onsibility
Project
Coordinato
r
Ghana Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation Project
Annex 3. Incremental Cost Analysis
Broad Development Goals
1. The broad development goals in the savanna regions of Ghana are (a) to improve the
environment, livelihoods and health in this generally poor regions, (b) to ensure social and
rural development on the basis of sustainable natural resource management and (c) poverty
reduction through better management of production resources and increasing production by
the more disadvantaged rural societies. The Forest and Wildlife Policy (1994) and the
Forestry Development Master Plan (1996) in their savanna components are the foundation
for this development activity as detailed in the NRMP I project activities.
2. Baseline
The baseline activities which Ghana could reasonably have been expected to undertake on
national development grounds to achieve these goals have been well stated in the NRMP I, II
and III project savanna and wildlife components. These baseline activities include seven
sub-components (a) Essential institutional development for Savanna Resource Management
(b) On-reserve Savanna resource management (c) Integrated watershed management off
reserve (d) Woodfuel production and marketing (e) National action program on
Desertification, and (f) Biodiversity conservation.
In general the NRMP aims to establish and support individual and community-based
sustainable management of natural resources of land, water, crops, trees and animals. The
program has a strong poverty alleviation focus and is concerned ultimately with helping
people improve their lives through enhanced management of natural resources.
Included in the institutional arrangements is the setting up of a Savannah Resource
Management Center (SRMC) already underway whose role is to co-ordinate activities under
the project and work with rural communities, government and non-government institutions to
identify, plan and support programs for sustainable resource management. Resources
allocated to the Savanna component of NRMP I total $9.4 million. Additionally, a number of
other programs and projects support these objectives in the savanna zone. Danish aid,
DANIDA, is investing $2.1 in promotion of traditional energy resources, the Netherlands is
investing $5.565 m in the development of Mole National Park and the World Food
Programme is contributing $2.1m to the region. Other overseas assistance has come from
German Technical Assistance (GTZ), the UK Department for International Development
(DFID), European Economic Community (EU), the Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA) and USAID. NGO’s including churches, Islamic groups and others (see
section 6g) are also working in the region.
3. Global Environment Objectives
The global environment objective is to conserve the biodiversity of the Ghanaian savanna, to
sustain the availability of medicinal plants, and to protect the traditional agrobiodiversity of
31
the zone. The project also has components and cross-links to combating land degradation
and desertification.
A wide range of tree shrubs and mostly annual and perennial grasses, typical savanna
vegetation occur in the Northern Savannah. Over 1,300 plant species have been recorded and
the trees in particular are threatened from over exploitation and uncontrolled burning. As in
most countries, the best known elements of the fauna are larger mammals and birds. The
indigenous mammals of Ghana number approximately 225 species, of which about 100
inhabit the savanna and dry forest zones. Although most mammals characteristic of the
savanna and dry woodlands were historically widespread, extensive pressure from land use
changes and land degradation, and intensive pressure from hunting, have extirpated natural
populations of most game species (e.g. ungulates and carnivores) from large areas. Within
lesser known vertebrate groups some species, for instance, endemic mole rats and
amphibians, are at significant risk due to land degradation resulting from fire and poor land,
water and soil management practices. About 300 Afrotropical endemic bird species occur in
the savanna and an additional 100 Paleoarctic species use the Ghanaian savanna as critical
resting places on their migratory routes, 171 butterfly species are found in savanna zone
habitats (guinea savanna, 87 species; Sudan savanna, 55 species; southern dry forests, 29
species).
The northern savannas also harbor indigenous land races of important food crops. Future
efforts aimed at improving production and drought resistance of crops cultivated here, will
draw heavily on the gene pool of native/wild crop varieties. Preserving these genetic stocks
will require specific interventions to ensure that these native/wild varieties are not completely
replaced by introduced varieties or lost through inappropriate land use practices. The
savanna woodlands also have an ameliorative effect on the local climate and constitute a
natural barrier to the desiccating harmattan winds from the Sahara, thus helping to maintain a
favorable climate for agricultural production in the south.
Savanna ecosystems cover about 50% of the total area of Africa and a project of this type has
not been attempted anywhere in the savanna. Hence the lessons learned from this project
will be important to the conservation of biodiversity in the whole savanna zone. The
opportunities provided by NRMP I and later II and III and the Savannah Resource
Management Center (SRMC) at Tamale, established under NRMP I make Ghana an ideal
location for this activity.
To achieve its global environment objectives, the GEF alternative aims to (i) develop a
capacity to assess and conserve biodiversity in the region, help in the creation of a regional
policy framework to achieve these goals and build a monitoring and evaluation system for
biodiversity conservation in the region, (ii) develop and implement community based
biodiversity management plans for selected areas in the region, including pilot activities to
arrest land degradation, promote community woodlot development and ex-situ pilot
cultivation trials of threatened medicinal plants used in human and animal health; (iii)
Community-based awareness, conservation and management initiatives, including field gene
banks of medicinal plants and traditional threatened agro-biodiversity, community based
action plans and a comprehensive public education and mass awareness campaign.
32
4. The GEF Alternative
Under the GEF alternative, Ghana will carryout the ongoing programs of savanna sustainable
resource management but will greatly enhance biodiversity conservation by the following
additional measures (a) creating a regional focus, knowledge base and policy on biodiversity
conservation, (b) defining the existing biodiversity in and outside reserves and developing
management plans to sustain this, including the identification of additional priority areas for
conservation, (c) creating community based resource use systems that conserve biodiversity
and improve production and health, (d) providing a special focus on medicinal plants and
developing community based sustainable use of this resource, (e) preserving the traditional
agro-biodiversity of the zone for future development of these genetic resources and (f)
developing a long-term professional and community capacity to maintain these programs and
products.
To achieve these objectives the following additional activities will be financed under the
GEF alternative (a) the building of community and professional capacity for biodiversity
conservation and monitoring and evaluation of progress $1.9m, (b) the design and
implementation at more effective management plans for biodiversity conservation in and
around the major forest and wild life reserves and in newly identified areas of specially
important biodiversity, including medicinal plants $3.2 m, (c) the development of community
based conservation and management initiatives and the design and delivery of a
comprehensive community and stakeholder awareness program $2.4 m. The estimated cost
of current programs is a minimum of $20.2m; the cost of the GEF alternative is $27.8m.
5. Incremental Costs
The agreed incremental costs for which GEF funding is requested in order to achieve the
global environment benefits of the GEF alternative are therefore $7.6 million.
33
Component
Essential Institutional
Development for SRMC
Cost Category
Baseline
Policy Framework and
Capacity Building
GEF Alternative
Incremental Cost Matrix
Cost US $ M Domestic Benefit
2.0**
Essential organization
for natural resource
development of region
3.9
Increment
Baseline
1.9
16.7*, **
GEF Alternative
19.9
Biodiversity
Conservation and
Medicinal Plants
Baseline
1.5**
Community based
conservation and
management initiatives
GEF Alternative
3.9
Increment
2.4
On reserve savanna
resource management
woodfuel production
NAP on Desertification
Biodiversity
Conservation and
Management
Global Benefit
Enhanced conservation of biodiversity in
savannas through policy development,
monitoring and evaluation
More sustainable
supply of woodfuels
and natural resource
products
Protection of hot spots of biodiversity,
reduction in land degradation, carbon
sequestration, sustainability of medicinal
plants and traditional agro-biodiversity
Natural resource
products available for
local food and health
benefits
Gene pools of medicinal plants maintained
and sustained, agro-biodiversity preserved,
long term capacity and awareness for
biodiversity conservation established
Baseline
20.2
GEF Alternative 27.8
Incremental
7.6
Cost
* This includes a component of NRMPI, Danish, Netherlands and WFP programs.
** Baseline costs for the Project include 2 years of NRMP II (overlap with GEF High Forest) and NRMP III
TOTAL
34
Annexes 4a
TECHNICAL REVIEW OF THE PCD ON
GHANA NORTHERN SAVANNA BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROJECT
March 9, 2000
BY
Prof. Jameson Henry Seyani
I. Comments On
A. Key Issues
1. Scientific and Technical Soundness of the Project
The implementation of the objectives, components and activities of the Northern Savanna
Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project will involve the application of science and
technology to provide important information and data for use to achieve better conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity of Ghana’s northern savanna zone. The identification and
monitoring of plant and animal species and different habitats, determination of population sizes
and recruitment rates of different plant and animal species, establishing the conservation status of
different species and habitats, inventory of traditional/indigenous knowledge, recording
vegetation cover, documentation of economic medicinal plants and food plants/animals, ex-situ
conservation of threatened species, bioprospecting of new products, etc., will be valuable
scientific/technical inputs for the management of this important ecosystem. The replication of the
project in different geographic areas with two vegetation types of the northern savanna (Sudan
and Guinea) with different ethnic groups will provide valuable results for developing appropriate
conservation and sustainable use systems for the northern savanna zone. The information will
also contribute to our understanding of the real underlying causes for biodiversity loss at the
community and local levels. It is envisaged that socio-economic tools will be used to generate
results that will complement the above scientific/technical inputs.
2. Identification of the Global Environmental Benefits/ Drawbacks of the Project
The tropical grasslands and savanna ecosystems of northern Ghana are part of the global biomes
that have evolved unique biological diversity with special adaptive features for survival against
negative anthropogenic impacts and adverse weather conditions. These biological resources are
globally important as a pool for genetic resources for new crops and animal breeds, food, shelter,
timber, medicines, cosmetics, pesticides, etc. The conservation and sustainable use of the unique
biological diversity will improve the ecosystem functioning and services of the savanna. The
vegetation cover and soil micro-organisms will act as a carbon sink to reduce global warming.
Plant cover will also be important for regulating annual precipitation and weather, and improve
infiltration of rainwater and recharging of underground water reservoirs-thus combating
desertification and arid conditions.
However, the project design, which is the crucial part of this project, needs to be improved,
especially as regards the project activities, expected results, the tables/annexes including the
logframe, the additions of some figures presented in some of the tables, etc. There are
duplications of some ideas, i.e., page 14 paragraph 2 and page 19, paragraph 2, where both
35
describe the same subject of Institutional and Implementation Arrangements. For the latter, it
will be advisable to show the institutional structure of the project in an organizational chart in the
annex. There are also a number of missing data that must be attended to. All the comments of
these shortcomings are given as a separate attachment.
3. How the Project Fits within the Context of the Goals of the GEF, as well as its
Operational Strategies, Program Priorities, GEF Council Guidance and the Provisions of
the Relevant Conventions.
The project proposal on “Ghana Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation Project” conforms
well with the GEF Operational Strategy on Biological Diversity under the GEF Operational
Program 1- Arid and Semi-arid Ecosystems. The latter is also related to Operational Program 9Integrated Land and Water Multiple Focal Area, and the UN Convention to Combat
Desertification. Furthermore, the savanna ecosystem is on of the priority ecosystems of the
Convention on Biological Diversity under the new thematic area of Dryland, Mediterranean,
Arid, Semi-arid, Grassland and Savannah Ecosystems. The project objectives are also consistent
with GEF Council Follow-up Action to the STAP Workshop on Land Degradation: GEF/C.9/6
(1997) and GEF Council Clarifying Linkages Between Land Degradation and the GEF Focal
Areas-An Action Plan for Enhancing GEF Support: GEF/C.14.4 (1999). The migratory species
which come to the savanna ecosystem habitats will be the interest of the Convention on
Migratory Species, while trading in some threatened species will be the focus of CITES and both
these conventions will be relevant to this project.
The main objectives of the proposed project, namely, to improve the environment, livelihood and
health in northern savanna zone of Ghana through the conservation and sustainable use of natural
resources; and to identify, monitor and conserve key components of the biodiversity, are in line
with the GEF focal areas of biological diversity and climate change. The specific objectives of
the project include- protecting existing biodiversity within and around preserve areas by adopting
the ecosystem approach and developing savanna biodiversity conservation and management
policy; identifying priority endemic species habitats and 'hotspots' in need of greater protection;
protecting sacred groves and other sources of biodiversity and assist in the maintenance of the
medicinal plant supply through conservation and cultivation; preserving knowledge of their
(medicinal plants) use in the home by women and by healers; and maintaining the cultivation of
farmer crop varieties. The results of these activities will contribute greatly to the conservation
and sustainable use of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of its benefits in northern savanna
zone of Ghana as well as restoring and rehabilitating degraded habitats/land.
4. Regional Context
The Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation Project is a national project for Ghana.
However, it has the potential for a regional and sub-regional project for the Sudan and Guinea
savanna zones of West Africa and elsewhere where this biome is distributed. It would provide
interesting results over time between different countries with various ethnic groups, traditions
and religions. Perhaps in the future, there should be some consideration for transboundary
savanna biodiversity project for Africa, as a first step.
36
5. Replicability of the Project
The savanna biome is found in many Tropical countries, including much of sub-Saharan Africa
where problems of conservation and sustainable use are similar. Hence the lessons learned from
the Ghana Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation Project, can easily be replicated in other
countries and regions to solve similar problems the current project is trying to address.
6. Sustainability of the Project
The proposed project is building on the experiences of NRMP I and II, and other related projects
on natural resources management. With the provision of adequate financial resources and the full
participation of the key stakeholders, which are mainly the local people in this project,
sustainability will be guaranteed. However, it will be very important to ensure that the Savanna
Resource Management Centre at Tamale has well-qualified and experienced personnel to
implement the project. The nature of the project calls for expertise in various fields related to
ecology, forestry, agriculture, sociology, economics, and taxonomy. The project is very silent on
collaboration and linkages with experts from universities, R & D institutions within and outside
Ghana as such linkages will provide valuable synergies and complementarities in some project
activities.
7. Extent to which the Project will Contribute to the Improved Definition and
Implementation of GEF Strategies and Policies.
The proposed project is meeting the GEF’s strategies and policies of financing the incremental
costs of national/global activities that will promote the conservation and sustainable use of the
biological resources of the northern savanna ecosystem in Ghana. The GEF will enable the
government of Ghana to achieve national/global environmental benefits in biological diversity
and climate change, which left to national financial resources alone, such national/global benefits
would not be realized. This proposal includes the participation of the key stakeholders such as
the local people, farmers, NGOs, etc., and this will ensure the effective implementation of
community-based project activities as well as facilitating the use of indigenous knowledge
relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of the important northern savanna biological
diversity. The participation of the key stakeholders in community-based projects is one of the
requirements of GEF and most of the activities of this proposal will be implemented with the full
participation of the local people.
B. Secondary Issues
8. Linkages to Other Focal areas.
The project proposal is linked to the GEF focal areas on Climate Change, and Land Degradation
as cross-cutting theme.
9. Linkages to Other Programs and Action Plans at Regional and Sub-regional Level.
The Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation Project, as a national project, has several
linkages with similar initiatives at the national level. These include the key government
37
ministries (Ministry of Lands and Forestry, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and
Food, etc); National Resources Management Project: NRMP I, II, & III; the GEF Biodiversity
Component for Southern High Forests linked to NRMP I & II; National Environmental Action
Plan; National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan; National Forest and Wildlife Policy;
Forest Development Master Plan; National Biodiversity and National Forest Protection Strategy;
Traditional Medicines Practices Bill; Forest Resources Management Project; Coastal Wetlands
Management Project; People, Land Management and Environmental Change, etc. The project
will draw important baseline data and better management lesson from the above initiatives.
However, the project should also link its activities to similar projects from other savanna areas in
Africa and elsewhere. It might not be quiet correct to say that this project is the only type that has
not been attempted anywhere in the savanna ecosystem (cfr.page 6, para1, line 8).
10. Other Benefits or Damaging Environmental Effects.
The project provides many benefits to the local people as well as the environment. It promotes
social and rural development in the savanna region through capacity-building and poverty
alleviation within communities for environmental protection and sustainable use of the savanna
biological resources. The participation of the local people in the project promotes their
ownership of the process and provides incentives to undertake conservation and sustainable use
measures. As part of the co-management of biological diversity of the biome, it is hoped that the
project will explore alternatives for generating wealth and other benefits from the rich biological
resources of the savanna ecosystem and from the use of traditional knowledge of the local people
on the uses of some genetic resources. This could be achieved through bioprospecting initiatives
with transparent safeguards for intellectual property rights of the owners of such knowledge.
While environmental benefits include the conservation of threatened/rare/endemic/economic
plants and animal species, and habitats; regulation of local climate; improved supply of clean
water; control of soil erosion; improved soil fertility through accumulation of leaf litter and
micro-organism activities; and provision of a living vegetation barrier to the desiccating
harmattan winds from the Sahara Desert. However, the project should endeavor to find
alternative sources of energy, as the present rate of deforestation for firewood and charcoal will
have negative impacts on the conservation of the savanna biodiversity if not addressed. The
project might therefore consider intensifying planting of fasting growing tree species, most of
which are unfortunately exotics, which might have some negative impacts on the availability of
groundwater or allelopathic effects on other plants. This calls for the identification and selection
of fast growing indigenous tree species that could be promoted for tree planting as well as agroforestry programs. Similarly the over-harvesting of the other biological resources could affect
the survival of such resources and this has to be monitored very carefully. Too often comanagement programs where resource use by local people has been allowed has resulted in the
loss of very species and habitats the project was trying to protect, through mainly internal and
sometimes external interests.
One area that the project has not elaborated on well is the achievement of the third objective of
the CBD, namely, the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources.
This is a very important subject that has strong linkages to conservation and sustainable use. It
will be interesting to find out if such models already exist in the project area or how the various
38
communities want to address the issue. Apart from benefiting the people, proceeds from
biodiversity should also benefit conservation or the environment.
11. Degree of Involvement of Stakeholders in the Project.
One of the unique features of this project is the realization of the role played by those people
who live with, use and own biological diversity-the local communities and people. This focus
will ensure the ownership of the project by these stakeholders so that they will not feel that this
project is not one of those government projects. This will enhance the effective implementation
of the activities of the project. The targeting of women and children in the project is very
important as these groups have valuable knowledge about the uses of plants and the transfer of
such knowledge to the project is very desirable. That is why the GEF advocates strongly the
participation of key stakeholders in such projects.
It is very advantageous to note that the project will take advantage and complement the
community-based management planning processes being established by the NRMP I for forest
resources, wildlife protected areas, savanna woodlands and integrated community-based
watershed management. It might be necessary to examine carefully if the NRMP I communitybased management planning processes is compatible with the needs of this project since the
objectives of the two initiatives though complementary are different.
12. Capacity Building Aspects
The proposal has plans for improving the capacity of the key stakeholders in the project.
Activities such as enhancing environmental education in school curricula, workshops, training
camps, formation of wildlife clubs, etc., will enhance the active participation of all stakeholders
in this project. The weak human resources development and institutional capacity in biodiversity
management should be strengthened partly through the capacity-building programs. In addition
to involving local people in the capacity-building program, it is advisable to include all
stakeholders such as politicians, civil servants, biodiversity managers, policy-makers, civic and
religious leaders, the private sector and NGOs in this sub-program as they too have some impacts
on the biological diversity of the savanna ecosystem. One area that the project might want to
look into is learn from similar initiatives elsewhere such as the CAMPFIRE in Zimbabwe, the
ADEMADE Program in Zambia, the Bakhtla Tribe Game Park in South Africa, etc.
13. Innovativeness of the Project.
The Ghana Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation Project is unique in focusing on local
communities as partners in development. The project regards, rightly, the local people as
biodiversity managers who will take an active part in the conservation and sustainable use of the
savanna biodiversity while at the same time being direct beneficiaries from the genetic resources
and ecological services. The economic livelihoods arising from the generation of wealth from the
rich biological diversity and use of traditional and indigenous knowledge will be important
incentives for the local people to regard this project as being tailored for them and not just
another activity for government officials from the capital Accra.
39
The other aspect that makes this proposal unique is the complementing of the development
objectives with global development objectives. Thus, activities of the former focus on the socioeconomic issues at the local level, while the latter deals with the conservation issues at both local
and global levels. This synergy will ensure that the socio-economic issues are supportive of
conservation and sustainable use needs.
Furthermore, this project builds upon the existing baseline data and information of past and
ongoing related initiatives. It has therefore the unique advantage of using the scare financial,
human and institutional resources on critical and priority issues. Thus making the project more
cost-effective, with clear incremental costs, for achieving GEF objectives as well as that of this
project.
II. Concluding Remarks
The Ghana Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation Project is a very important biodiversity
project as it has local and global benefits and is replicable. Its implementation will ensure the
effective conservation, sustainable use and benefit-sharing of the important savanna biodiversity
of Ghana through active stakeholder participation. The GEF funding of this project is therefore
highly recommended to assist the government and people of Ghana to save the biological
diversity of one of the important biomes of the world. The savanna ecosystem has the potential
for providing both local and global benefits if only its biodiversity, that maintains the ecological
processes and services, is managed wisely for present and future generations.
40
Annex 4b
Response to STAP review
The proposed Biodiversity Conservation project is viewed as an important contribution to the
sustainable use and benefit-sharing of Ghana's northern savanna resources and its
implementation is highly recommended. The replication of the project in other sub-Saharan
regions would be an important contribution to conserving and managing wisely Africa's
biodiversity for future generations.
Specific responses to comments include the following and where appropriate have been
incorporated into the PCD.
2. Duplications of Institutional and Implementation Arrangements, page 14 para 2 and page 19
para2 are a necessary component of the PCD and will remain as is.
4. Transboundary Savanna Biodiversity project for Africa should be considered at a future date,
but will not be identified at this stage in project development
6. The Savanna Resource Management Biodiversity Coordinator should be a person
knowledgeable of MLF biodiversity conservation and management objectives, community needs
and concerns, and the broad cultural heritage aspects of the three regions. Such an individual will
work to achieve the objectives of the SRMP and at the same time strengthen the SRMC's
capacity to maintain, and where appropriate, expand the savanna conservation, management and
sustainable use programs.
Additional linkages with experts/specialists in universities, R&D institutions within Ghana will
be identified and included where appropriate at the next stage of project development. For
example: Animal Research Institute, Africa Virtual University, NGO's, and others.
9. An example(s) of similar projects for other savanna areas in Africa would have been useful.
We are not aware of any such projects at this time.
10. (2nd para) This aspect will be addressed during the development of the PAD.
12. During development of the PAD mechanisms will be identified for provision of resources
for cross-country visits and workshops with neighboring countries and other areas in Africa.
41
Sustainability and Benchmark Criteria
Annex 5
Benchmark
Poverty
Questions related to
Benchmark Criteria
Does it address
poverty and the
environmental
linkages to poverty?
Does it take a
holistic approach?
Holistic approach
Participation
Incentives
Policy reforms
Technologies
Socio-economics
Outcomes
Does it adopt
participatory
methods?
Does it adequately
analyze household
incentives for sound
land management?
Does it address
policy reforms,
including land
policy reform?
Does it address
appropriate
technologies and
does it accommodate
innovation risks?
Does it adequately
appraise the
socioeconomic
situation?
What would be the
overall outcome?
Critical Issues
To what extent does project design and
implementation exhibit attention to poverty
reduction and the linkages between land
degradation and poverty?
To what extent does the project analysis, design
or program address complementary areas
impacting significantly on the project objectives
such as cross-sectoral linkages, constraining
policies, non-farm employment, etc. In other
words, is the project too narrow?
To what extent does it adopt participatory
approaches and make them sustainable?
To what extent does the project indicate analysis
or provision for analysis of private incentives to
improve land management at the household or
small community level?
To what extent does the project focus on land
reform in savanna areas if there is evidence that
this was a constraint?
To what extent are technologies addressed either
within the project or outside? In particular, does
the project make adequate use of the latest
relevant international knowledge? To what
extent do components of the project support
attention to risk, e.g. analyzing in research
findings worst year outcomes, seeking
technology menus which include low risk
options, drought forecasting, etc.
To what extent is the socioeconomic situation
analyzed, particularly for the design of
community participation, developing conflict
resolution between groups, etc. ?
To what extent overall does the project meet
those benchmarks that would be reasonable to
expect? This would be assessed against the
benchmarks as a whole.
42
Annex 6
HISTORY OF FOREST RESERVATION IN NORTHERN GHANA
This brief review of forest policy and forest reservation in northern Ghana in the early 1940s is
expected to throw light on the state of the forests and the environment before reservation and
how this situation was exploited adequately or otherwise for forest policy formulation and forest
reservation.
Tours and inspections reports by Mclead N.G. (June, 1922), Moor H.W. (May,1935) and Vigne
C. (June, 1935) constituted the basis for forest policy formulation for the northern savanna areas
(Northern Territories). These reports indicated very high populations around Bawku, Zuarungu
and Navrongo (200 persons per sq. mile).
There were no forests left in these areas for protection and production. The pressure on the land
was so great that shifting cultivation was no longer possible and a permanent system of
cultivation with manuring had already evolved. Only trees of economic value either as food or
medicine were left in the farmed areas. Other trees of less economic value were removed to
make way for farming or to provide firewood and building poles.
On the other hand, population was quite scanty in the Gonja districts (4 persons per sq. mile) and
the natural vegetation was a typical tree savanna with fringing forests along the banks of the
white and black voltas as well as other larger rivers. This type of savanna was described by
Mcleod (1922) as rich in herbs, grasses and tree vegetation and consisting of a large proportion
of small, gnarled and crooked specimens which exhibited marked differences in density or
stocking according to location and soil types.
He identified Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa, Danniellia oliveri, Acacia sieberiana, Vitex
doniana, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Khaya senegalensis, Adansonia digitata, Pseudocedrela kotschyi
and Bombax buonopozense, as the most abundant species.
The early foresters (Vigne C. and others) saw the main value of the savanna forests to be the
supply of firewood, timber, grazing as well as minor products such as thatch, fruits etc. Forest
reservation was not considered urgent where the population was scanty, such as in the Gonja
districts. Hence the heavily populated areas were targeted for reservation to abate the pressure
on the few remaining woodlands. The main objectives of the forest policy were to supply forest
products to the communities and to protect environmentally fragile areas through soil and water
conservation.
The Upper East Region (UER) was therefore the first area tackled (1938) and in this exercise,
erodible areas, particularly hilly areas and areas with rock outcrops as well as headwaters of
43
rivers and riverbanks were priority. The forest reserves were constituted under the provisions of
the Native Administration Ordinance, CAP 84, but where there were difficulties, the forest
Ordinance was used. The 1947 North Mamprusi forestry conference accelerated forest
reservation by approving the concept and linking it to land use planning. However, each Native
Authority organised its own conference under its own rules and determined areas to be reserved.
The objects of reservation therefore varied with particular local circumstances as they were
expected to meet local interest and needs.
The Tankwidi west forest reserve selection report (1950) for example, aimed at preserving the
little remaining woodland in western Frafra to ensure a permanent supply of forest produce,
including poles, fuelwood, fruits and grasses and to rehabilitate areas which had been ruined by
agricultural practices. In the case of the Gambaga Scarp West Block 1 forest reserve, the aim
was to safe guard the water supply to the White Volta which has a substantial influence on the
whole Volta River system. The objects being to protect the escarpment control run-off and
ensure perpetual supply of forest produce to neighbouring villages. Once an area was reserved,
by-laws were prepared by government and notices served on the Native authority who passed
them as rules to give the necessary legal status to such reserves.
The by-laws and rules provided for penalties in the event of damage to forest property and also
made provision for the issue of permits to natives for exploitation of forest produce. When the
forest Ordinance was passed, it made it possible for forest reservations to be carried out
compulsorily where chiefs were reluctant. However, whether reservation was done under the
forest Ordinance or Native Administration Ordinance admitted rights such as herding of cattle in
the reserved areas, collection of grass for thatch, collection of dead wood for own consumption
for firewood, hunting and access to shrines and groves for traditional rituals were exercised
without restraint. For further information on different native authority conferences and rules
made thereof, for forest reservation, refer to the Savanna Woodland Reconnaissance Team's
Status Report (Planning Branch, February, 1997).
Apart from recognition of the need for the establishment of fuelwood reserves through
plantations in the proximity of large towns by Mcleod (1922), Vigne (1936) thought the ideal
would be to have numerous small reserves, accessible to every settlement and owned by the local
people and worked on a simple scheme of management with their good will. But efforts made to
encourage the local people to establish their own plantations were not successful. A total of
23,33 and 16 forest reserves were constituted for the Northern, Upper East and Upper West
Regions respectively. In the case of forest reserves constituted in the urban settlements,
emphasis were mainly laid on plantation development to provide access to fuelwood and straight
poles for construction.
44
Annex 7
BIODIVERSITY CHANGE OUTSIDE SAVANNA RESERVES
The native agricultural tools are simple and the traditional method of farming is based on slash
and burn land rotation farming or shifting cultivation. The land is cultivated for three to four
years and when the soil becomes exhausted and weedy and crop yields decline; the soil is rested
as a fallow to recover though vegetation regrowth when its nutrients are restored. In the past the
fallow period was ten years or more and provided grazing and valuable tree products such as
herbal medicine, fodder, fuelwood, fruits and nuts.
This was when both human and animal populations were quite low and there was sufficient land
to allow farming and permit the full recovery of agricultural lands through long fallows.
Improved medical care has brought about a doubling of the populations every twenty years. The
whole northern savanna is under population pressure for land for agriculture, settlements,
irrigation schemes and grazing. In the face of high human and animal populations, agriculture is
virtually permanent or semi-permanent in many areas. The removal of trees and vegetation
cover to make way for expanded food requirements and grazing by large herds of cattle and
small ruminants have posed threats to both land and vegetation. This is further exacerbated by
the institution of mining schemes in fragile environments, particularly in the Upper East Region
(UER).
The short fallow periods do not allow for sufficient plant re-growth and soil fertility restoration.
Hence valuable tree products which were obtained from natural re-growth in long fallows are no
longer obtainable. The new conditions favour grass growth and promote annual bush fires with
concomitant deforestation and environmental degradation.
This condition has equally affected the wildlife resources of the northern savanna. Fire has not
only been used to chase out wildlife from their hideouts to be captured but has killed many and
destroyed the habitats of others, thereby endangering their livelihoods. Wildlife like the African
hare, antelope, duiker, waterbuck, bushbuck, elephant, lion, leopard, grasscutter, giant rat,
hippopotamus, hyenas, crocodiles, pythons, guineafowls, partridges and so on, which were
abundant in the northern savanna have virtually been hunted out of existence with the aid of
modern technology (guns, gin traps, poisons etc).
These animals are now basically restricted to wildlife and forest reserves. See table below for a
list of the common wildlife. Forest and land degradation have accounted for soil erosion, soil
infertility, loss of biodiversity, damage to faunal and floral habitats and degradation of important
watersheds.
Wildlife species found in the northern savannas of Ghana
45
Common name
Baboon
Green monkey
Patas monkey
White-tailed colobus monkey
Senegal galapo
Leopard
Lion
Spotted hyena
Elephant
Roan antelope
Bushbuck
Waterbuck
Kob
Hartebeest
Oribi
Crowned duiker
Red-flanked duiker
Warthog
Squirrel
Grasscutter
Turtle
Tortoise
African hare
Nile crocodile
Hippopotamus
Bush cat
Python
Nile lizard
Hedgehog
Terrapin
Fox
Remarks
Common
Rare
Common
Rare
Threatened
Rare
Rare
Threatened
Common
Common
Common in National Park
Common
Common
Common
Common
Common
Common
Common
Common
Common
Threatened
Common
Threatened
Common
Rare
Threatened
Common
Common
Common
Rare
Threatened
46
Annex 8
AGRO-BIODIVERSITY
High urban demand for cereals around 1969/70 could not be met by domestic production and the
need for import savings, compelled government to encourage agricultural intensification through
mechanisation, farm input subsidies, introduction of fertiliser, supply of improved seeds,
guaranteed bank credit and ready markets for agricultural produce through public purchasing
beards.
Commercial farmers therefore capitalised on the high market demand and better yielding cereals
and pulses, and gave up indigenous cereals and pulses which, apart from being low yielding, did
not enjoy similar market demand. Farm inputs were not only cheap but also readily available
and farmers became rich overnight through large volumes of harvests. This success drew public
servants, traders and people of other vocations into commercial farming.
When 14 years later government reviewed the agricultural programme, (Structural Adjustment
Programme) SAP, and subsidies on agricultural inputs were removed, and farming became
capital intensive. But this did not go with improved prices of agricultural produce since there
was influx of cheap cereals and pulses from Asia and other continents under the policy of trade
liberalisation.
This made agriculture unprofitable and there was a general exodus to trade and government
contracts for construction and maintenance of physical structures. Local taste for exotic cereals
and pulses had however come to stay. Of five indigenous maize varieties, only one is now
cropped for satisfying market demand for boiled and roasted corn. The three varieties of
indigenous rice are not only rarely copped but are cropped purely for domestic consumption by
very few farmers. The three well-known indigenous cowpea varieties (white, red and mottled)
are now restricted to soils where fertiliser is not used. Fertiliser encourages them to put on folial
growth without fruiting.
Their low performance in yield does not recommend them for commercial production. In the
case of guinea-corn, maize is preferred in situations where it was used. Its dominant use is for
pito brewing and since a majority of people do not now drink pito, its market share of the grain
market is low. Only three (Mankariga, Kapeligo and Kuko'bua) of the well known five varieties
are still in production. Two others are rare (kala'a and ka'zei). The three indigenous varieties of
millet are still produced in reasonable quantities in the Upper East (UER) and Upper West
Regions (Na'ara, Za'peli and Za'sabliga). The Northern region does not produce Na'ara and the
other two varieties of millet are produced only in a few areas.
47
The early millet (Na'ara) is a saviour crop of the UER because of its short duration. Two
varieties of indigenous groundnuts are cropped alongside two exotic varieties (China and
Gambia). The exotic varieties are higher yielding and are preferred for their superior oil yield.
However, the indigenous varieties are preferred for chewing and making soup. All four varieties
are therefore well demanded for their different uses. Bambara nuts are indigenous and there are
four varieties (red, white, black and mottled). They are now found on fewer farms than used to
be the case.
The soyabean is exotic and only one species is in use in the northern savanna. The production of
tubers has picked up very highly, perhaps due to their low input cost of production and the new
external markets. Yam, of which there are 15 species and more than 50 varieties dominates the
tuber market. There is only one species of sweet potato and two varieties. Apart from household
consumption, there is only a limited market for potatoes.
Cassava has several varieties but only four are regularly cropped in the savanna and are well
patronised. The frafra potato used to be produced throughout the northern savanna but it is now
mainly produced in the UER where it is grown on ridges in the low lands. There is only one
variety for which there is very limited domestic market.
Aerial yam of which there is only one species is now mainly grown in eastern Dagbon, though it
may be found produced at very low levels elsewhere. See tables below for details of the
vegetables, cucurbits and fruits produced in the northern savanna areas. Apart from neri and
agushi, which are indigenous, the rest are foreign to the northern savanna. All vegetables except
kenaf are produced in home gardens and only rarely on farms. Mango and cashew are the fruits,
which suit the weather conditions in northern Ghana. The rest need irrigation because of the
short rainy season.
The cultigen diversity in the northern savanna is therefore low, probably a reponse to poor
fertility (Blench R, 1999). However, rainfall distribution may as well be the major determinant.
Table 1
List of common indigenous plant species in the northern savanna of Ghana
BOTANICAL NAME
1) Piliostigma reticulatum
2) Tephrosia purpurea
3) Cochlospermum planchoni
4) Tacca leontopetaloides
5) Annona senegalensis
6) Entada africana
REMARKS
Used for treating sores
Fodder
Treatment of jaundice
Underground bulb edible
Fodder, fruits for food
Fuelwood
48
Table 1
List of common indigenous plant species in the northern savanna of Ghana
BOTANICAL NAME
7) Gardenia aqualla
8) Gardenia ternifolia
9) Parkia biglobosa
10) Diospyros mespiliformis
11) Balanites aegyptiaca
12) Ficus platyphylla
13) Burkea africana
14) Strychnos spinosa
15) Acacia sieberiana
16) Acacia dudgeoni
17) Nauclea latifolia
18) Moringa oleifera
19) Ficus capensis
20) Terminalia macroptera
21) Terminalia avicenioides
22) Detarium macrocarpa
23) Securidaca longepedunculata
24) Afzelia africana
25) Oncoba spinosa
26) Boswellia dalzielii
27) Vitellaria paradoxa
28) Khaya senegalensis
29) Kigelia africana
30) Prosopis africana
31) Sclerocarya birrea
32) Ziziphus mauritiana
33) Pterocarpus erinaceus
34) Bridelia spp
35) Vitex doniana
36) Lannea acida
37) Lannea macrocarpa
38) Lannea microcarpa
39) Daniellia oliveri
40) Gladiolus spp
41) Tamarindus indica
42) Faidherbia albida
REMARKS
Edible fruits
Cosmetics (lipstick)
Food and medicine
Food, fuelwood, tool handles
Leaves & fruits for food, medicinal
Fuelwood
Fuelwood, blacksmith charcoal
Edible fruits and leaves
Fodder, toolhandles
Fuelwood
Medicinal
Medicinal & food (soup)
Fuelwood
Medicinal, fuelwood
Fuelwood
Fuelwood
Medicinal
Fuelwood/charcoal
Edible fruits
Disinfectant
Medicine, food, fuelwood
Medicinal, carving, fuelwood
Fuelwood
Blacksmith charcoal
Fodder, edible fruits
Use for fencing & fruits edible
Fodder, carving, fuelwood
Medicinal
Edible fruits & leaves, ink
Edible fruits, fuelwood
Edible fruits, fuelwood
Edible fruits, fuelwood
Fuelwood, medicinal
Medicinal
Food, medicinal
Fodder, soil fertility, medicine
49
Table 1
List of common indigenous plant species in the northern savanna of Ghana
BOTANICAL NAME
43) Sterculia setigera
44) Mitragyna inermis
45) Anogeissus leiocarpus
46) Pseudocedrela kotschyi
47) Securinega virosa
48) Adansonia digitata
49) Cassia occidentalis
50) Calotropis procera
51) Bonebax buoropozense
52) Grewia mellis
53) Maytenus senegalensis
54) Acacia gourmaensis
55) Celtis integrifolia
56) Dichrostachys glomerata
57) Grewia lasiediscus
58) Isoberlinia doca
59) Piliostigma thonningii
60) Stereospermum kunthianum
61) Combretum glutinasum
REMARKS
Soap making
Construction, fuelwood
Fodder, fuelwood/charcoal
Medicine
Fencing, medicine
Food, medicine, rope
Soil fertility
Coagulates milk
Calyx for food
Edible
Fencing
Fencing
Fuelwood
Medicinal
Condiment for pito
Construction, fuelwood
Ropes, medicine
Fuelwood, ornamental
Fuelwood
Table 2
Crops cultivated in northern Ghana
COMMON NAME
A. CEREALS
Sorghum
Millet
Maize
Rice
B. TUBERS
Yam
Frafra potato
Sweet potato
Cassava
LATIN NAME
REMARKS
Sorghum bicolor
Pennisetum glaucum
Zea mays
Oryza sativa
6-8 species
4 species
Mainly improved
varieties
Mainly improved
varieties
Dioscorea guineensis
Plectranthus esculentus
Impomoea batatas
Manihot eseulenta
50
15 spp and more
than 50 varieties
Table 2
Crops cultivated in northern Ghana
COMMON NAME
C. PULSES
Beans
Bambara nuts
Groundnuts
Pigeon-peas
Soya beans
LATIN NAME
Dioscorea bulbifera
Vigna unguiculata
Vigna subterranea
Arachis hypogaea
Cajanus cajan
D. VEGETABLES
Tomato
Onion
Garden egg
Okro
Kenaf
Beniseed
Pepper
Pepper
Ayoyo
Aleifu
Lycopersicon esculentus
Allium cepa
Solanum incanum
Abelmoschus esculentus
Hibiscus cannabinus
Sesamum indicum
Capsicum annum
Capsicum frutescens
?
Amaranthus spp
E. CUCURBITS
Pumpkin
Pumpkin (oval, green)
Water-melon
Neri
Egusi
Cucurbita maxima
Cucurbita pepo
Citrullus lanatus
Citrullus spp
?
F. FRUITS
Lemon
Mango
Pawpaw
Cashew
Guava
Citrus limon
Mangifera indica
Carica papaya
Anacardium accidentale
Psidium guajava
51
REMARKS
1 species
2 varieties
4 varieties
1 species
4 varieties
3 varieties
3 varieties
1 species
1 species
3 varieties
2 varieties
3 varieties
3 varieties
2 varieties
2 varieties
3 Varieties
2 Varieties
2 varieties
2 varieties
1 species
2 varieties
2 varieties
1 species
1 species
2 varieties
several varieties
2 varieties
2 varieties
2 Varieties
Table 2
Crops cultivated in northern Ghana
COMMON NAME
LATIN NAME
52
REMARKS
Annex 9
THE ROLE OF SACRED GROVES IN FUTURE CONSERVATION OF
BIODIVERSITY
Sacred groves are found among all tribal groups in the three Northern Regions and wild fauna
and flora within them are considered sacred and enjoy absolute protection.
Their present state tends to suggest that they are a declining resource system. They have
survived the indiscriminate assault of man mainly on fear since Christianity and Islam now
question the belief system around them. Notwithstanding threats from development, sacred
groves are still the most important sources of biodiversity and resource security. They constitute
potent gene pools for ex-situ development of tree species now rarely found in the range and
fallow systems, including medicinal plants. Sacred groves are generally perceived as important
floristic reserves; sources of medicinal plants and a citadel of resources capable of playing vital
roles in the environmental recovery process (Blench R. 1999).
The protection given to sacred groves against human encroachment, bush fires and other hazards
provides learning opportunities to environmentalists, foresters and biologists in the present
search for biodiversity conservation, sustainable management and utilisation of medicinal plants
(Millar D., 1993)
However, reliance on customary law and the declining tradition around sacred groves for their
protection may not sustain them for long and their continuing abuses would definitely lead to a
reduction in their biodiversity and development potential. The SRMP should therefore
commission studies or review existing studies in the archives with the view to informing policy
of the need to protect sacred groves more formally.
Pre-colonial era initiatives on biodiversity conservation were based on economic considerations,
prohibitions and taboos and were generally tribe specific, though common grounds could be
found in some areas (e.g. the sacred grove concept and indigenous agroforestry).
Trees were conserved either for their economic utility or spiritual endowment or both. Trees
commonly protected for spiritual reasons included: Sterculia setigera, Diospyros mespiliformis
and Gardenia ternifolia. Adansonia digitata, Ceiba pentandra and Tamarindus indica are
conserved for a combination of economic utility and spiritual reasons and Faidherbia albida,
Vitellaria paradoxa and Parkia biglobosa, purely for economic utility.
In the case of fauna, crocodiles, turtles, lions, pythons and leopards enjoyed protection according
to specific sacred groves where they are the spiritual embodiment of native religion. There is no
known animal that enjoys absolute protection except within a sacred grove. Native custom also
53
protected pregnant animals and birds on eggs from hunters in as much as it protected trees in
fruits or flowers from woodcutters. Technologies employed in conservation practices were
purely fire-based and involved either early burning or fire trace construction.
The latter was the basic practice for sacred groves and the former for economic species. The
advent of colonialism saw the most planned and direct interventions and initiatives in
biodiversity conservation through forests and wildlife conservation. Today, the forest and
wildlife reserves constitute the bulk of biodiversity in the three northern regions. This state of
affairs was achieved through yearly schemes of early burning administered by the office of the
government agent with the departments of agriculture and forestry playing lead roles and the
rural communities providing free labour.
Early burning was extended to outside reserve areas of economic importance and visibly reduced
the devastating effects of late fires and promoted biodiversity. Land use planning areas
involving large tracts of land were set up by government in the 1950s to be managed for animal
production, food production and forest production in a co-ordinated manner in all three northern
regions. Activities carried out included terracing, contour bonding of large areas for erosion
control, contour ploughing and planting, controlled grazing, forest plantations to produce straight
poles for construction and bush fire control involving fire trace construction.
Burning was strictly prohibited in these areas. The land use planning areas were very relevant to
the ecology of the savanna areas but are said to have been given up in the process of
departmental partitioning and resultant lack of interdisciplinary collaboration shortly after
independence.
The universities and the council for scientific and industrial research (CSIR) carried out surveys
on the botanical composition of the grasslands in the northern savanna in the 1960s and also
introduced some exotic grasses for animal feeding. When the State farms took over the animal
husbandry stations in 1962, the work was discontinued with no explanation.
Recent programmes involving the erstwhile Rural Forestry Division of the Forestry Department
(FD) and the Agroforestry Unit of the Crop Services Department (1989 - 1997 and 1986 - 1997
respectively) contributed measurably to biodiversity initiatives through community education on
tree planting, conservation, fallow improvement, introduction of various agroforestry
technologies and protection against fire.
54
Annex 10
Medicinal Plant Species and Traditional Healthcare
Medicinal plants are the primary source of free or affordable healthcare to the majority of the
rural residents of northern Ghana. They are an important and expanding informal component in
the Ghanaian forestry and agricultural sectors and play a significant role in providing for
healthcare of 85-100% of the rural population who rely on traditional medical treatments. About
60% of the urban population also relies heavily on medicinal plant-based treatments. Sustainable
production and processing of medicinal plants offers an opportunity to protect the national
biodiversity and improve and upgrade the lives and well-being of thousands of people in both
rural and urban areas.
Three groups have considerable knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses. They are mothers
in the home, midwives, and traditional healers. Between them they possess an incredible
knowledge of medicinal plants, their uses, distribution and ecology. Women and midwives
obtain their plant materials from home gardens, agricultural fields, marginal lands, forests and
markets. Traditional healers rely primarily on wild sources, but also home gardens and markets.
Information on medicinal plants and use in traditional medicine in Ghana have been collected
since colonial times (see Useful Plants of Ghana, Daniel Abbiw, 1990).
In 1974 the Government of Ghana (GOG) acknowledged the importance of medicinal practices
with the establishment of the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine. The Centre now
offers for sale 73 herbal medicines. In 1999, The GOG presented to parliament the Traditional
Medicine Practices Bill, a bill that provides for the legitimizing of traditional medicines and
healers.
It is difficult to assess the impact of current levels of exploitation on savanna woodland
populations and the overall loss of Ghanaian medicinal plant genetic diversity. There are no
records or indications of medicinal plant non-timber forest product (NTFP) supplies in the
Forestry Department or elsewhere. Sacred groves have been regarded as sources of herbal
material by healers, but today many are threatened due to encroaching agricultural lands, fire,
grazing and loss of appreciation of the cultural significance of such sites. No valid statement can
be made regarding the degree of threat medicinal plant species of the savanna woodlands are
under, what affect their loss would have on local health status, or their actual market or economic
value to the Ghanaian GNP.
A workshop attended by 44 traditional healers to identify their concerns revealed that the
survival of 40% of the plants used in treating the top 10 diseases are threatened (Table 1). The
healers endorsed actions that would: (i) identify sustainable harvesting guidelines for plants
and/or parts thereof collected from wild and protected habitats; (ii) cultivation practices for
adaptable species; (iii) an inventory of traditional healers in their respective regions; (iv) provide
greater input to actions proposed by the Federation of Traditional Healers; (v) allow closer
collaboration with Health Posts; and (vi) improve their quality of healthcare.
55
Table 1.
11 Major Human Diseases and 4 Major Livestock Diseases with the Number of Plant Species
used for their treatment by Region
Common Diseases
Human
1. Malaria
2. Diarrhoea
3. Pneumonia
4. Hypertension / stroke
5. Dysmenorrhoea
6. Sinusitis/headaches/colds
7. Diabetes
8. Pelvic inflammatory disease,
9. Stroke
10. Snake Bite
11. Piles
Animal
12. Diarrhoea
13. Anthrax
14. Liverfluke
15. Newcastle disease
NR
No. species
(No. threatened)
12 (4)
11(1)
12(0)
14(9)
20(2)
12(5)
14(6)
13(3)
11(4)
UWR
No. species
(No. threatened)
14(4)
7(5)
7(3)
1(1)
UER
No. species
(No. threatened)
3(2)
5(4)
2(1)
3(1)
7(5)
7(5)
3(1)
10(4)
15(7)
14(8)
5(2)
2(1)
2(1)
* the numbers of plant species have been calculated on the basis of the common names
supplied by the healers in their local languages. Additional diseases and the plants used in
their treatment were also identified, but not included.
A rapid survey (Table 2) of traditional healers in the three northern regions provided the
following:
Table 2
Communities and traditional healers surveyed in the three northern regions
Region
Upper West
Upper East
Northern
Total
Communities
6
13
10
29
Healers
86
153
94
333
A large number of plant voucher specimens were provided by the healers along with information
on the ailments and diseases they were used to treat. The identification of all specimens will be
verified by the National Herbarium at Legon.
56
Annex 11
Proposed Priority Forest and Wildlife Reserves
Region
Reserve
District
Northern
Region
Kenikeni
UWR
UER
Bole
Size
(Km 2
515.98
Status
IUCN category
VIII
Buligu
Yendi
56.72
VIII
Yarada
Bole
424.81
VIII
Gambage
Scarp West
Kulda
Walewale
222.22
V
Yendi
VIII
Mole
National
Park
Bui
National
Park
Marago
Damongo
II
Bamboi
II
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Walewale
88.06
VIII
Gambaga
Scarp East
Ambalara
Walewale
127.53
V
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Halt land degradation
Lawra
131.94
VIII
Kulpawn
Tributaries
Gbele
Wa
99.95
V
Nuale
Lawra
57.80
VIII
Mawbia
Tumu
129.50
VIII
Kulpawn
Headwater
Red Volta
East
Tankwidi
West
Sisili
Central
Tankwidi
East
Tumu
155.40
V
Bolga
217.60
V
Bolga
119.14
VIII
Navorongo
155.09
VIII
Bolga
193.21
VIII
Tumu
VIII
57
GEF Justification
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Halt land degradation
Protection of Fauna
diversity
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Halt land degradation
Protection elephant
migration corridors
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
Fine grain biodiversity
protection
World Bank User
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