NGO helping to protect bio-diversity forest in Awutu-Senya district

Youth As A Mission Development Association (YAAMDA) a non-governmental Organization (NGO) has secured 22,000 US dollars support from three international and local organizations to sustain the Adawukwa-Osae-Krodua Agro-forestry Bio-diversity Conservation Project in the Awutu-Senya district.
The Organization were the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Environmental Facility, (GEF) and/Small Group Programme, both local Organizations,
Mr. Daniel K. Bakah, Executive Director of YAAMDA said this at a two-day capacity building workshop for 30 focal people from the area at Kasoa.
He said the objective of the project is to conserve and preserve the “Abrewa Wenfo and Okuafo Obosum” hill forest.
According to him, people in the two communities would be educated on the importance and benefits of the forest and its utilization to help reduce poverty in the area.
He said among the key activities to be undertaken by the project are to organize a series of awareness and education programmres on the effects of deforestation, importance of tree-planting, wildlife and environmental policies.
He said the project is for the two communities, whiles the NGO plays a facilitating role, adding that, the programme is expected to end by October 2009 and handed over to local Project Management Committee.
Mr. Bakah appealed to chiefs and custodians of lands of Awutu-Senya to use the project to create jobs for the youth and avoid selling the forest.
Mr. George Oting, UNDP coordinator, Mr. Kojo Amoanoo from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and some officials from the forestry Services Division of the Forestry Commission were facilitators.
They took participants through topics, including Conserving and preserving forests, Agro-forest benefits, component of biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources and leadership training skills.
Mr. Oting said if Global environmental problems could be addressed, the local people affected should be involved.
He therefore urged participants to return to their various communities and sensitize their people on the skills and knowledge acquired for their benefit.