COP30: How Ghana is reducing its carbon footprint
In northern Ghana’s Yiwagu community, farming has long been the backbone of local livelihoods. But in recent years, harvests — especially of shea nuts — have dwindled. Locals blame the decline on erratic rainfall and rising temperatures, symptoms of a changing climate.
In response, the ethnic minority community has turned to traditional conservation practices. Local leaders have banned tree felling and other harmful activities in nearby forests.
“This sacred forest serves as a windbreak to our community. It helps facilitate rainfall, and it also serves as a source of our medicinal needs,” said Yakubu Iddrisu, an assembly member for Yiwagu.
The benefits are already visible, he said. Improved weather conditions are returning, and the forest is once again a source of healing. “So, when we want our medicine, the herbs that we need are here,” Iddrisu told DW.
