Drama Network / GEF SGP ProjectDrama Network / GEF SGP Project

By Ben A. Sackey (Project Manager)By Ben A. Sackey (Project Manager)

Integrated Project on Aquatic Weeds Management for the Protection of International Waters and Sustainable Land management in the Lower Volta Basin Area of Tsetsekpo and Sayikope communities

April 2008 – June 2009

That hurt me a lot, but I still That hurt me a lot, but I still keep loving you because I am keep loving you because I am your friend, unconditionally.your friend, unconditionally.

That hurt me a lot, but I still That hurt me a lot, but I still keep loving you because I am keep loving you because I am your friend, unconditionally.your friend, unconditionally.

I waited and waited but you I waited and waited but you never came…never came…

I waited and waited but you I waited and waited but you never came…never came…

There are Water Weeds on the Lower Volta There are Water Weeds on the Lower Volta Basin because of:Basin because of:

1.1.Rate of flow highly reduced due to Rate of flow highly reduced due to construction of dams on the riverconstruction of dams on the river

2.2.Steady flow causing low turbidity and high Steady flow causing low turbidity and high transparency which enhances direct sunlight transparency which enhances direct sunlight penetration and photosynthetic activitypenetration and photosynthetic activity

3.3.High organic matter from human water-High organic matter from human water-related activities combined with increased related activities combined with increased photosynthetic rate causes favorable photosynthetic rate causes favorable conditions for algae bloom and water weeds conditions for algae bloom and water weeds proliferationproliferation

Social impacts of water weeds Social impacts of water weeds areareSocial impacts of water weeds Social impacts of water weeds areare

1. Weeds serve as habitat for the bilharzia snail

2. River fishing is impeded, especially the clam fishing industry

3. Sites for boat landing have been reduced

4. Water collection sites have also reduced

5. Harbors reptiles and dangerous animals

6. Fatalities resulting from drowning within the weeds

1. Weeds serve as habitat for the bilharzia snail

2. River fishing is impeded, especially the clam fishing industry

3. Sites for boat landing have been reduced

4. Water collection sites have also reduced

5. Harbors reptiles and dangerous animals

6. Fatalities resulting from drowning within the weeds

What is Ghana doing about the weeds?What is Ghana doing about the weeds?What is Ghana doing about the weeds?What is Ghana doing about the weeds?

1. Lower Volta Environmental Impact Studies (LVEIS) by the Volta River Authority (VRA)

2. Kpong Headpond Weeds Clearing Progamme by VRA

3. Bilharzia Control Programme by VRA

4. Integrated Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds Project by the Environmental Protection Agency

1. Lower Volta Environmental Impact Studies (LVEIS) by the Volta River Authority (VRA)

2. Kpong Headpond Weeds Clearing Progamme by VRA

3. Bilharzia Control Programme by VRA

4. Integrated Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds Project by the Environmental Protection Agency

What is Ghana doing about the weeds?What is Ghana doing about the weeds?What is Ghana doing about the weeds?What is Ghana doing about the weeds?

4. Demonstrating the Economic Potential of Aquatic Weeds in Selected Areas in the Lower Volta Basin by Volta Basin Research Project (VBRP)

5. Strategic Action Programmes for the Integrated Management of the Volta River Basin Project by GEF

6. Ghana-Burkina Joint Declaration on Improved Management of the Natural Resources of the Volta Basin.

4. Demonstrating the Economic Potential of Aquatic Weeds in Selected Areas in the Lower Volta Basin by Volta Basin Research Project (VBRP)

5. Strategic Action Programmes for the Integrated Management of the Volta River Basin Project by GEF

6. Ghana-Burkina Joint Declaration on Improved Management of the Natural Resources of the Volta Basin.

How was the project conceived?How was the project conceived?

Evidence based research by VRA and VBRP

demonstrated that:

1. The weeds can be harvested and utilized for compost production

2. Harvested weeds can be used as fodder

3. Areas cleared of water weeds are viable of pen aquaculture purposes.

Evidence based research by VRA and VBRP

demonstrated that:

1. The weeds can be harvested and utilized for compost production

2. Harvested weeds can be used as fodder

3. Areas cleared of water weeds are viable of pen aquaculture purposes.

What were the project developmental stages?What were the project developmental stages?

1. Submission of Concept Paper to GEF in September 2004

2. Response from GEF in Dec. 2004 requesting for a detailed proposal

3. Consultations with beneficiary communities and implementing partners for formal letters of collaboration

4. Detailed proposal submitted to GEF in August 2005, with letters of collaboration from beneficiary communities and implementing partners

1. Submission of Concept Paper to GEF in September 2004

2. Response from GEF in Dec. 2004 requesting for a detailed proposal

3. Consultations with beneficiary communities and implementing partners for formal letters of collaboration

4. Detailed proposal submitted to GEF in August 2005, with letters of collaboration from beneficiary communities and implementing partners

What were the project developmental stages?What were the project developmental stages?

5. Based on proposal review, GEF undertook a field verification visit in August 2006

6. Proposal was updated in January 2008 to take cognizance of any new information, data and available budget

7. Contract executed in March 2008

5. Based on proposal review, GEF undertook a field verification visit in August 2006

6. Proposal was updated in January 2008 to take cognizance of any new information, data and available budget

7. Contract executed in March 2008

Project Project Design MatrixMatrix

Project Project Design MatrixMatrix

1. Goal

2. Purpose

3. Outputs

4. Verifiable Indicators

5. Activities 

1. Goal

2. Purpose

3. Outputs

4. Verifiable Indicators

5. Activities 

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Consultations to formally introduce

the project to:

- Traditional chiefs and local

authorities of Sayikope, and

Tsetsekpo

- Implmenting partners made up

of VBRP, Adidome Farm Institute

and

- North Tongu District Assembly

- .

Achievements till date

Achievements till date

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-Project Implementation Team formed and oriented

on roles and responsibilities.

-Project Implementation Team formed and oriented

on roles and responsibilities.

- 60 Trainee farmers selected: 20 each from

Tsetsekpo and Sayikope communities as well as 20

from Adidome Farm Institute

- 60 Trainee farmers selected: 20 each from

Tsetsekpo and Sayikope communities as well as 20

from Adidome Farm Institute

Project was launched on May 16, 2008 at the

Adidome Farm Institute to inform stakeholders and

to seek support and collaboration.

Project was launched on May 16, 2008 at the

Adidome Farm Institute to inform stakeholders and

to seek support and collaboration.

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- Posters developed

- Two pre-recorded and 1 phone –in radio discussions held on

Radio Ada, a community radio station

- Posters developed

- Two pre-recorded and 1 phone –in radio discussions held on

Radio Ada, a community radio station

Hands on demonstration in compost production

completed in both communities

Hands on demonstration in compost production

completed in both communities

Cutting water

weeds

Cutting water

weeds

Weed pullingWeed pulling

Compost turningCompost turning

Compost Compost

135 bags of Compost of 50 kg

each produced

135 bags of Compost of 50 kg

each produced

Nutrient Acceptable Range

Compost Samples

pH (H2O) 7.0 - 7.5 6.72 7.36

Total Nitrogen % 1.5 - 1.7 0.91 1.40

Phosphorus % 0.8 - 1.25 0.82 0.98

Potassium % 0.7 - 1.2 0.72 0.74

Calcium % 1.5 - 3.0 0.41 0.39

Magnesium % 0.25 - 0.4 0.11 0.11

Manganese ppm 100 - 300 377.5 186.6

Zinc ppm 100 - 200 222 208

Molybdenum ppm

<5.0 0.31 0.15

Hands on demonstration in cage aquaculture

ongoing in the two communities

Hands on demonstration in cage aquaculture

ongoing in the two communities

Discussions with

PIT

Discussions with

PITHarpers for fryHarpers for fry

Release of fry into

harpers

Release of fry into

harpers Feeding of FryFeeding of Fry

A summary of what we have A summary of what we have achieved so farachieved so farA summary of what we have A summary of what we have achieved so farachieved so far

2 demonstration farms, one in each community, are being

established for the utilization of the compost for crop

production.

- So far, a half acre land has been cleared at Sayikope for

use for the demonstration purposes, using part of the

compost produced.

- Again, seedlings of “Legon 18” variety of pepper have

been nursed at ADI nursery and transplanted at

Sayikope (Compost yet to be applied)

- Moringa seedlings transplanted at Sayikope

2 demonstration farms, one in each community, are being

established for the utilization of the compost for crop

production.

- So far, a half acre land has been cleared at Sayikope for

use for the demonstration purposes, using part of the

compost produced.

- Again, seedlings of “Legon 18” variety of pepper have

been nursed at ADI nursery and transplanted at

Sayikope (Compost yet to be applied)

- Moringa seedlings transplanted at Sayikope

2 demonstration farms, one in each community, are being

established for the utilization of the compost for crop

production.

- So far, a half acre land has been cleared at Sayikope for

use for the demonstration purposes, using part of the

compost produced.

- Again, seedlings of “Legon 18” variety of pepper have

been nursed at ADI nursery and transplanted at

Sayikope (Compost yet to be applied)

- Moringa seedlings transplanted at Sayikope

2 demonstration farms, one in each community, are being

established for the utilization of the compost for crop

production.

- So far, a half acre land has been cleared at Sayikope for

use for the demonstration purposes, using part of the

compost produced.

- Again, seedlings of “Legon 18” variety of pepper have

been nursed at ADI nursery and transplanted at

Sayikope (Compost yet to be applied)

- Moringa seedlings transplanted at Sayikope

Activities Yet to be Done

• Organize a field visit for stakeholders to the established compost and cage aquaculture demonstration farms

(Ongoing now).

• Produce press print outs of compost sales outlets in the national media to boost sales

(To be done after the stakeholders forum: Meanwhile information on project submitted to the Ghanaian Times for publication).

Activities Yet to be Done

• Arrange and undertake a TV discussion program on national television station on the project outcome and its importance

(Arrangements completed and TV Crew are here for verification purposes).

• Produce manual on compost production from water weeds

(Producer’s Manual developed for discussion with GEF prior to publication)

Activities To be Done in Phase 3

• Establish a cooperative of compost producers with core membership coming from the trainees

(Discussions held with Social Welfare and constitution being developed for registration purposes).

• Utilize proceeds from cage culture demonstration farms to establish a revolving micro-financing scheme to members of the cooperative for cage aquaculture

• Provide credit through a micro-financing scheme

M&E Processes for Quality Assurance

• Formal endorsement of activities in project proposal by beneficiary communities and implementing agencies

• Field verification visit by GEF prior to approval of proposal

• Detailed outline of objectively verifiable indicators outlined in project design matrix

• Formation of a Project Implementation Team, made up of community members, to lead and supervise field activities

M&E Processes for Quality Assurance

• Constitution of Project Management Team, led by a Project Manager, for the overall supervision of project.

• Formal launching to introduce project to all stakeholders to ensure transparency and inclusion

• Radio programs on project progress

• TV programs on project progress

• Field visit by GEF to monitor ongoing activities

• Monthly field visit by the Project Management Team, involving meetings with PIT and project beneficiaries on project progress and challenges

• Baseline socio-economic information of project beneficiaries for evaluation purposes collated.

• One (1) Day Stakeholders’ visit for all stakeholders on project implementation (Ongoing)

• Quarterly reporting on project activities to GEF and other stakeholders (Qtrs 1, 2 & 3 Progress Reports submitted)

M&E Processes for Quality Assurance

GEF Monitoring Visit on July 17, 2008GEF Monitoring Visit on July 17, 2008

GEF National Coordinator & Team

Members

GEF National Coordinator & Team

Members

GEF National Coordinator in

discussion with some project

beneficiaries

GEF National Coordinator in

discussion with some project

beneficiaries

GEF National Coordinator Inspecting

compost at Tsetsekpo

GEF National Coordinator Inspecting

compost at Tsetsekpo

GEF National Coordinator & Team

Members in group picture with some

project beneficiaries

GEF National Coordinator & Team

Members in group picture with some

project beneficiaries

GEF Monitoring Visit on November 29, 2008GEF Monitoring Visit on November 29, 2008

Project Challenges

1. Participation by selected trainees is low due to non-payment of allowance. Participation rate is about 75% at any particular time

2. Budget had to be re-allocated for the following unforeseen items:

- Canoe- Increased Personal Protective Equipment- Chemical Analysis of Compost- Water pump

3. Fear of contracting bilharzia due to contact with water resulting in apprehensiveness

Project Challenges

5. Poor monitoring of integrity of fish pens to ensure that fishes do not escape. Luckily escaped fishes still keep to the vicinity due to presence of food so they are easy to recapture.

Thank you and enjoy watching Thank you and enjoy watching this 10 minutes this 10 minutes documentaryThank you and enjoy watching Thank you and enjoy watching this 10 minutes this 10 minutes documentary