The stakeholder meeting drew participation from the forestry commission, traditional authorities, landowners, researchers, and civil society groups. It marked a critical first step in the project’s grassroots approach to biodiversity conser­vation, sustainable land use, and agroforestry development.

Titled “Engaging Local Com­munities in Endangered Trees and Minor Crops Utilisation for Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Enrichment,” the EMBRACE Project is a three-year, cross-border effort launched in November 2024. It operates across selected communities in both countries, with a strong focus on empowering women and youth through sustainable farming practices and ecological restoration.

Professor Maxwell Asante, Director of CSIR-CRI, on Friday underscored the project’s dual mission of environmental healing and cultural preservation.

“Our goal is to plant trees while bringing back indigenous crops that are gradually vanishing—crops prized not just for their cultural heritage, but also their medicinal and economic poten­tial,” he explained.

He cautioned that many tradi­tional minor crops in Ghana were on the brink of extinction due to modern farming trends, land deg­radation, and neglect. EMBRACE, he emphasized, “is a critical step toward safeguarding biodiversity while opening avenues for future commercial use.”

Providing a progress report, Dr Clement Oppong Peprah, EMBRACE Project Coordinator, disclosed that since inception, the project has engaged 41 commu­nities in Ghana and 25 in Kenya. These were later narrowed down to 15 target communities in Gha­na—across the Ashanti, Ahafo, and Western North Regions—and 10 in Kenya.

In Ghana, one hectare of land has been secured in five com­munities per region to establish nurseries and model agroforestry farms. These farms will grow endangered tree species alongside underutilised crops, blending eco­logical restoration with sustainable agriculture.

“Our aim is to develop agrosil­vicultural systems that not only restore degraded landscapes but also provide food, income, and resilience for rural communities,” Dr Peprah said.

Supporting the initiative, Mr Newton Anobil Atuahene, Bechem District Manager of the Forestry Commission, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to biodiversity and climate resilience.

“This project aligns perfectly with our mandate,” he said. “We are ready to provide free tree spe­cies to the selected communities and public for planting—toward reversing climate change and boosting food security.”

The EMBRACE Project ul­timately contributes to Ghana’s national and international goals on environmental sustainability, poverty reduction, and the fight against land degradation.

By linking traditional knowledge with modern science, it offers a hopeful model for inclusive, climate-smart agriculture that re­stores ecosystems and livelihoods in tandem, said Madam Adjoa Nwinie, a farmer from Ahafo.