Bongo Chief forms NGO to combat climate change

IN HIS attempts to combat the rising rate of climate change in his traditional area, the Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyaroom, is initiating a tree-planting project in communities within his jurisdiction.

At a sensitiszation programme on the project for 32 sub-chiefs and representatives of community members from the Bongo district, the Paramount Chief observed that the rate of climate change was adversely affecting the area, since it was very closer to Burkina Faso, which was drier.

The Chief said the dry condition of the area had contributed to the inconsistent rainfall pattern that was seriously undermining farming activities in the communities.

In his quest to address the situation, Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyarum has formed a non-governmental organisation (NGO) on Environment called “Green Bongo for Sustainable Environment”, to undertake tree planting.

He announced that the NGO was receiving support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) Grant.

The Chief disclosed that so far, 16 out of the 32 communities in the area had been selected to commence the tree-planting exercise project this year.

Naba Aleemyarum said moves were underway to start buying seedlings for the exercise, while further plans were made to nurse about 140,000 seedlings annually for planting, and said youth groups in the area would be trained in tree-planting, compost making, woodlot plantations and how to prevent wildfires.

He stated categorically that his main focus was to create a sustainable and sound environmental management in Bongo and the entire area of his jurisdiction, and thus charged all sub-chiefs under him to take the project in good faith to ensure that it was successfully implemented.

Naba Aleemyarum disclosed that the sponsorship package for the project, which would be in three phases, was about US$224,000, with the first phase being allocated an amount of US$6,000.

While calling on other donors to assist in his crusade, the Chief also expressed his gratitude to the management of the GEF of the UNDP Grant for the support, and pledged to use the fund judiciously for its planned purpose.