IPSI Case Study Summary Sheet
Basic Information
Title of case study
Submitting IPSI member organization
Other contributing organization
Author(s) and affiliation(s)Format of case study
Keywords
Date of submission

Conserving Biodiversity and Livelihood Enhancement;
the case of Saviefe Communities on the Weto Landscape in Ghana
Greenglobe Ghana
Forestry Commission, Volta Region Beekeepers Association Environmental
Protection Agency, and Ministry of Agriculture.
Samuel Deh, Frederick Gaitu (Greenglobe Ghana),
Gershon Amaglo Tordey (Forestry Commission)
Manuscript
EnglishLanguage
Livelihoods, Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Traditional knowledge
6 July, 2018
Web link-Geographical Information
Volta Region Ghana, Ho West District
Volta Region
CountryLocation
Longitude/latitude or Google Maps link
Ecosystem(s)Forestx
Grassland
Agriculturalx
In-land water
CoastalDryland
Mountainx
Urban/peri-urban
Other (Please specify)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area
The mountain range is a narrow belt of ridges and hills in the Volta Region of Ghana, The people are of different
ethnic groups with different settlement histories who have settled and interacted in diverse ways in relative peace fordecades and have developed by way of life and culture. Farming, hunting and petty trading are the main subsistence
activities of these people.
Description of human-nature interactions in the area
The landscape communities have been together for centuries in harmony with nature, and have interacted andmaintained systems that provide humans, their habitation with goods and services for their wellbeing. The deep
culture and beliefs of the people have aid them in maintaining conservation of biodiversity and protection of the areato their benefit.

Contents
StatusCompleted
PeriodSeptember 2016
Rationale
The rationale for this project is to halt the degradation of Weto landscape resources with COMDEK/GEF/SGP grants
and community resources. The need to promote sustainable resource management and utilization underpins thisproject .Also community institution to promote prudent natural resource management are lacking hence the need forthis project to build capacity of existing groups and form new ones where possible to promote diverse ideas sharing
for accelerated management.
Objectives
The goal of this project is to see a thriving socio-ecological production landscape where the local communities areactively involved in the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources for increased production, therestoration of biodiversity, wealth and continuous flow of ecosystem services.
Activities and/or practices employed
Train/assist Saviefe communities to carry out various activities that would help conserve the landscape for resilience
within carrying capacity, Build the capacity of 6 organizations and develop systems and best practices in the resource
use and sustainable land management in the landscape based on the COMDEK/GEF/SGP approach.
Results
The project recorded a significant improvement in the ecology of the landscape, two nursery sites were establishedto produce 500,000 species of Cocoa, Coffee, Wawa,Mahogay and other indigenous tree species; Farmers weretrained in sustainable agriculture techniques, protected areas as sacred groves, traditional caves, shrines andecological sensitive areas improved; Livelihood support as livestock rearing introduced; Established village saving
schemes in all project communities.
Lessons learned
Communities now realize importance of land use planning, the importance of development of sacred sites forecotourism, and the essence of rehabilitation of degraded areas and encouraged afforestation. They also realize there
was the need for collaborating with duty bearers for development. Challenges were some community members weremore interested in their daily activities that can give immediate income than participating in project activities.
Key messages
The indigenous knowledge of the people developed to know the value of conserving biodiversity and ecosystems;
and know the actions that affect deforestation and forest degradation. Activities should enhance the benefits derivefrom socio-ecological production lands and seascapes (SEPLS) for the benefit of life; sustainable and cyclical use ofresources for improved livelihoods.
Relationship to other IPSI activities
The activities of this project contribute actively to support the strategic objectives of IPSI and its action plan. The
project emphasized on improving the indigenous knowledge and understanding the functions of socio-ecologicalproduction landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS). They were sensitized about the benefits and values of conserving
biodiversity and its importance to life on earth. Objective 2. Addresses the effects of deforestation and forest
degradation, by establishment of tree nurseries of economic and indigenous species for enrichment planting ofdegraded areas and establishment of woodlots. Objective 3. Stresses on enhancement of benefit from sustainable
management of resources, and promote afforestation and sustainable participatory land use management forincrease in agriculture productivity. Objective 4. Also acts on capacity building of resource management groups,
livelihood enhancement activities was built in the areas of livestock rearing, beekeeping, as financial support forcommunity members.
Funding
The project was funded through COMDEK/SGP/GEF

Contributions to Global Agendas
The table below shows based on the self-evaluation by author(s).  and  indicates the “direct” or “indirect” contributions to thefollowing global agendas respectively to which the work described in this case study contributes to.

CBD Aichi Biodiversity Targets (https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/)
Strategic Goal A
Strategic Goal BStrategic Goal CStrategic Goal DStrategic Goal EUN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs)
