The Youth Volunteers for Environment (YVE), a non-governmental organization, in partnership with A Rocha Ghana and the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), on 16th Aug. 2024 officially launched the second phase of their Eco-Conservative Initiative Project. Building on the successes of the first phase, the project aims to drive environmental conservation and sustainable development in two key communities along the Atakora mountain range: Tokokoe and Likpe in the Volta Region. During the first phase of the project which started from Sep. 2023 to April 2024, significant groundwork was laid in terms of environmental education and resource management. The second phase seeks to deepen the impact of these efforts by focusing on conserving natural resources, enhancing capacities of local communities to participate through training and education and also implement sustainable tourism practices to promote education, awareness and general income in the selected communities. The project also seeks to restore degraded land in Tokokoe and Likpe through tree-planting initiatives aimed at improving soil health and preventing further environmental degradation. The project timeline is packed with activities such as training workshops, educational sessions, and stakeholder meetings, all aimed at achieving the project's objectives.
The scope has therefore been broadened to include collaborations with key governmental agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Forestry Commission, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture In an interview with Mr. Wisdom Koffi, the Director of YVE, he highlighted the vital role of youth in driving the success of the initiative. He urged the younger generation to work closely with their elders to gain indigenous knowledge that could enhance their contributions to environmental conservation. He also noted that one of the major challenges to the project is the use of harmful fertilizers and chemicals by some local farmers, which threaten the initiative's long-term goals. "People have gone so deep into these products that they find it hard to come back." Mr. Koffi said. "Also, we're not able to cover many communities as we wish due to the resources we have", He added while calling on local government to support their efforts in creating an eco-conservative environment
Mr. Koffi further urged local farmers to join forces in promoting the project and avoid using harmful chemicals in order to fully realize the economic and health benefits of the initiative. As part of their strategy to ensure full community involvement, YVE has announced plans to organize durbars in both Tokokoe and Likpe. These gatherings, along with regular stakeholder meetings, will provide a platform for community members to engage with the project, learn about its importance, and contribute to its success. According to Mr Koffi, the second phase of the Eco-Conservative Initiative Project is expected to set a new standard for environmental conservation and community collaboration in the region, paving the way for a more sustainable future of these communities.