Green Zones Projects Hosts Ghanian Delegation

The Ghanaian team pose for a picture with some of Gathiuru CFA members and KFS staff

The Ghanaian delegation pose for a group foto before the start of the tour. Hon. Henri-Ford Kamel is standing 2nd left

A team from Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources recently visited the country on mission to learn how various forestry projects supported by the African Development Bank (ADB) are contributing to the livelihoods of local communities. The team which included the Ministry’s Deputy Minister Hon. Henri-Ford Kamel visited Nyeri and Nakuru district.

In Nyeri, the delegation was hosted by the Mathira Trust Youth Group who showed them programmes undertaken with the assistance of the ADB through the Green Zone Development Support Project (GZDSP). The youth group is also involved in mushroom farming among many other activities which have enhanced their living conditions. The team then visited Gathiuru Forest Station where the local CFA showcased their activities in participatory forest management. Among the CFA’s income generating activities are bee keeping and rabbit rearing which the visitors were able to see.

The delegation then headed to Mau Conservancy where they visited community groups in Nakuru Forest Zone which also deal with reafforestation of degraded forest areas in the Mau and river bank afforestation.

GZDSP is supporting the groups in various income generating activities including fish farming and tree nursery establishments. The community groups in return are helping KFS in the conservation of the Mau Forest Complex.

The Ghanians who were led in their three day tour by the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at GZDSP Mr. Nicodemus Mwatika were later hosted to dinner by the KFS Director Mr. David Mbugua on their last day in the country. The Deputy Minister thanked the Director on behalf of his team for hosting them.

Report by Leakey Sonkoyo