sustainable jobs contribute to harmony
in northern ghana
friends of the earth ghana
The dry, remote north of Ghana has long
been plagued by tribal conflicts, social
upheaval, food insecurity, high illiteracy
rates and widespread poverty. The poor
quality of life forces many young people,
and particularly women, to leave in search
of menial work in the south of the country.
In order to address this migration of young
people from their communities, Friends of
the Earth Ghana has set up a project to
create sustainable and meaningful local
employment. Not only do the jobs created
directly reduce poverty, but they also
reduce the incentives for young people to
become involved in conflict.
economic benefits
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The project supports the economic
activities of rural women and young
people by providing them with farm
tools and seeds. Shea butter and gari
processing centers have been set up
for some 4,000 women and young
people. Trainings are offered in
batik, tie dye and general textile
design, and workshops are given on
business management and book-keeping.
Bicycles with trailers are provided
so that women can transport their
agricultural products to market.
The diversification of women's
economic activities has also improved
food security, and some communities
have managed to produce surplus gari,
beans and groundnuts to be traded
with people in southern Ghana . Newly
empowered women entrepreneurs can now
re-invest in their communities, and
they enjoy economic independence and
greater freedom to determine their
own futures. As a result of increased
disposable incomes, more children,
and particularly girls, are able to
attend school, and health care
facilities have been improved.
Boreholes built in each of three
communities prone to guinea-worm, for
example, now provide over 5,000
inhabitants with access to safe,
clean water.
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Exchange visits between women from
different tribes have resulted in trade
links: for example women from Yendi now
purchase shea oil from Bimbilla to sell
elsewhere. For the first time in decades,
women are able to travel to each other's
districts without fear or intimidation.
conflict reduction
In its first year, the project benefited
over a thousand people, 98 percent of them
female. Workshops and training programs
were held in schools, mosques and churches
to equip people with skills and tools for
addressing the causes of conflict as well
as its management and resolution. Social
clubs in communities and schools brought
together different ethnic groups so that
young people could test their
newly-acquired reconciliation skills.
The project has also been successful in
increasing women's participation in
decision-making. Women's groups have been
formed based on traditional structures with
a Magazia - or women's leader - as the
chairperson. Women are now empowered to
speak at village council meetings on issues
that concern them.
