The Accelerated Rural Development Organization (ARDO) is spearheading a project aimed at ensuring environmentally friendly practices in the Guan district of the Oti Region.

The project would focus on reducing carbon emissions to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the operational areas of the organization.

The Pohect being implemented by ARDO is in partnership with Gower Street Foundation UK and New England Biolabs Foundation of USA.

The Accelerated Rural Development Organization (ARDO) spearheads Projects to reduce carbon emissions in Guan District said the project encompasses reviving and building capacities of four fire volunteer groups which would be supplied with fire-fighting PPEs and other equipment to help them deliver their tasks.

He detailed that community-level anti-carbon emission committees would be formed to facilitate and develop action plans on carbon emission reduction strategies, to be implemented in their respective jurisdictions.

To intensify community education, he said 2-community fora would be held on climate change and sustainable environmental management in each of the four (4) beneficiary communities.

“ARDO will collaborate with Adwuma Ye Foundation Ghana and SYND to supply 200 climate-friendly energy-saving stoves/cooking bags towards reducing the use of fuel wood among households. Organize community radio discussions with phone-in programmes alongside community information center broadcasts.

“Establish and raise at least 20,000 indigenous and drought tolerant tree seedlings for planting around water sheds, degraded forest areas, sacred groves, and agroforestry”, adding that the project targets the planting of some 100,000 trees in five years.

He indicated that ARDO would facilitate strategy and experience-sharing meetings between two traditional authorities along the Togo Plateau borders of Ghana and the Republic of Togo on drivers of climate change and intended actions to promote a resilient ecosystem.

The Programmes Director of ARDO, Winfred Daniel Donkor said that an eco-friendly charcoal-producing equipment had been introduced to the people of Likpe to aid reduce carbon emissions during charcoal production.

“We are collaborating with Chainsaw operators and charcoal makers for them to use the offcut of chainsaw operators to make the charcoal. Instead of them to go for new woods or new trees for charcoal making. So that the tees are reserved”, he said.

Some 137 fire volunteers have been trained, commissioned, and equipped to curb fire incidents in the Guan District to protect the environment.

The Oti Regional Rural Fire Co-ordinator, ADO1 Stephen Agortor congratulated the volunteers on their successful commissioning and assured them of his outfit’s support for the success of their operations.

He urged the public to cooperate with the fire volunteers and desist from setting fire to bushes for parochial interests or face the law.