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Agro-Forestry in Tizza
The Village of Tizza,
Ghana
Tizza is a rural farming community in one of the most
remote areas of Ghana’s Upper West Region. Roads leading to this region
are unpaved and poorly maintained. Consequently, the villagers are
isolated from trade and commercial opportunities, medical facilities,
educational institutions and communication centers. Tizza lies in the
dry Savannah region know as The Sahel. The area is becoming dangerously
deforested. Wood is the main source of fuel; women walk several miles a
day to collect it for cooking.
Approximately 2,000 people live in Tizza in large compound
homes housing up to 100 extended family members. In 1990 a tree nursery
was established in Tizza through the joined efforts of the Peace Corps,
ACCRA (the capital of Ghana), and the villagers of Tizza. The last
Peace Corps volunteer left Tizza in 1998.
Our initial goal is to raise $500 to train local Ghanaian
village residents in agro-forestry techniques so that they can raise
nutritional cash corps such as cashews. The money generated from
recycled cans will help pay for laborers and their families who work on
the farms. Additionally, contributions will help offset the cost of
raising livestock such as chickens and pigs for the village of Tizza.
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Ghana
Land of Gold
People:
Ghana's population is concentrated along the coast, in the northern
areas near the Cote d'Ivoire, and in the principal cities of Accra and Kumasi.
History: The history of the Gold Coast before the last quarter of the
15th century is derived primarily from oral tradition that refers to
migrations from the ancient kingdoms of the western Soudan (the area of
Mauritania and Mali).
Economy: By West African standards, Ghana has a diverse and rich resource
base.
Agriculture: The agriculture sector in Ghana contributes 47.4% of the
GDP and employs an estimated 61.0% of the labor force.
Energy: Ghana is a net energy importer. [more] Metals Ghana is the
second-largest gold producer in Africa, after South Africa.
Environment: In Ghana, there are also many environmental issues
surrounding the mining industry.
The first country to be
independent.
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