Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, on Wednesday started a working tour of the three regions of the north to inspect the progress of the Sustainable Land and Water Management (SLWM) project.
The SLWMP forms a component of a 10-year project, which started in 2011 to 2020 and aims at supporting sustainable development initiative for the Northern Savannah to realise the vision of a diversified and resilient economic zone in the region with significant environmental benefits.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng’s one-week tour would involve a visit to Wa, Tumu, Bolgatanga, Sissala East, Baeka, Tarikum, Gbantongo, Pwalugu, Yemeriga and West Mamprusi. Among other activities, the Minister would inspect some tree growing sites, woodlot establishment, the Jolinyiri Green Fire breaks, the riparian vegetation establishment, the CREMA Shea processing facility, and the rangeland establishment.
He would also inspect a proposed water harvesting sites and the tree growing, compost preparation and earth binding sites. The Minister would also pay courtesy calls on the ministers of Upper West, Upper East and Northern regions.
The Sustainable Water and Land Management Project is looking at supporting community flood and land management at the micro-watershed level including management of agricultural land and ecological infrastructure.
It would also promote sustainable adoption, implementation and up-scaling of SWLM practices that would require targeted support and incentives. The projects, currently being implemented in 12 districts in the three regions of the north, is funded by a Global Environment Facility grant of 29.67 million dollars over three phases under the auspices of the World Bank.
It involved capacity building for Integrated Spatial Planning, Water and Land Management, and Project Management and Coordination.