The Nature’s Heartbeat Project has officially been launched in Ghana’s Savannah and Eastern landscapes, marking a significant step toward strengthening locally led conservation efforts in two of the country’s most important ecological areas, the Atewa Range Forest Reserve and Mole National Park.
This three-year global initiative is led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Netherlands (IUCN NL), in partnership with Armonia Bolivia, A Rocha Ghana, Ecotrust, and NTFP EP, with support from the Dutch Postcode Lottery. The project spans five countries: Ghana, Bolivia, Indonesia, Uganda, and the Philippines. It is designed to promote locally led conservation action through trust-based funding that equips local conservation actors with the resources and flexibility needed to protect their landscapes.
In Ghana, the project is being implemented by A Rocha Ghana, focusing on the Atewa and Mole landscapes due to their critical importance for biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods. These areas remain central to national efforts to safeguard Ghana’s natural heritage.
Local Organisations at the Forefront
In the Atewa Landscape, civil society organisations, including the Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL), Eco-Conscious Citizens, Gh-Extractives, Environment Report, and Herp Conservation Ghana, together with three Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs), Atewa, Atiwa West, and Ayensuano, have been onboarded to lead conservation actions.
In the Mole Landscape, Pure Trust Foundation and four Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs), Murugu Mognori, Yazori-Kumbo, BKJ, and Guwado, are spearheading conservation efforts within this biodiversity-rich ecosystem.
Inception meetings held on March 25, 2026 in Kyebi and April 9, 2026, in Damongo brought these organisations together, marking the official start of their collective journey under the Nature’s Heartbeat Project.
A Selection Based on Trust and Commitment
“Even without prior support, these organisations had already shown dedication to safeguarding the forest and addressing the threats facing the landscape,” he said.
Their efforts “made them a natural choice for the programme,” he added.
A Shared Vision for Nature
In Kyebi, participants expressed a unified vision for the Atewa Landscape, highlighting the importance of global recognition for its ecological value. They reiterated their aspiration for Atewa to be designated as a National Park and committed to developing strategies to protect and restore the forest while eliminating destructive activities.
Similarly, participants in the Mole Ecological Landscape outlined clear expectations for the project’s impact over the next three years. They anticipate meaningful improvements in natural resource conservation, eco-tourism development, governance, and environmental education.
They also stressed the need to significantly reduce illegal activities such as poaching and bush burning, while strengthening the protection of forests and wildlife habitats through improved community patrols and monitoring systems.
Beyond conservation, participants highlighted the importance of enhancing livelihoods through sustainable income-generating activities such as beekeeping, shea butter processing, and craft production. These efforts are expected to reduce dependence on wildlife resources, increase household incomes, and promote inclusive participation of women and youth in local economies.
Looking Ahead
Following the successful launch, participating organisations will begin implementing their proposed activities across the two landscapes, supported by training, resources, and continuous monitoring from A Rocha Ghana.
Through the Nature’s Heartbeat Project, local conservationists are being empowered to transform their commitment into lasting impact, strengthening biodiversity protection while building more resilient communities.
