Ten Ghanaian institutions access GH¢7m Canadian grant for environmental training
Ten Ghanaian institutions are accessing a GH¢7 million Canadian grant to build environmental expertise and empower women in the forest value chain. A five-year partnership with Lakehead University aims to train 36 Ghanaians in fields including forestry, remote sensing and ecological remediation.
myjoyonline.com10 Ghanaian institutions receive GH¢7m Canadian grant to train scholars, restore degraded environments
3news.com10 Ghanaian institutions get GH¢7m Canadian grant to restore degraded forests, train expertise
Funding and training
Ten public and private sector institutions in Ghana are accessing a GH¢7 million Canadian grant to strengthen technical expertise, tackle environmental degradation and empower women along the forest value chain.
The five-year partnership with Canada’s Lakehead University will involve training 36 Ghanaians in wood science and technology, remote sensing and geomatics, ecological remediation, and forestry. It includes full scholarships for three master’s students and tailored certificate programmes for 23 early- to mid-career officers.
Focus on environmental restoration
Professor Matthew Leitch of Lakehead University’s Faculty of Natural Resources Management said the partnership would use Canadian technologies to help address illegal mining and deforestation in Ghana, including through reclamation, remediation and afforestation.
Leitch said future remote sensing and geomatics training would be tailored to Ghana’s needs, with a one-month session planned for approximately eight participants from several institutions. Senior executives would also be involved to help ensure the knowledge is applied within their organisations.
Participating institutions
The beneficiaries include the University of Ghana, KNUST, Cape Coast University, UDS, the University of Energy and Natural Resources, and the CSIR College of Science and Technology. The Forestry Commission, CSIR’s FORIG, Samartex Timber and Plywood Company, and the Charcoal Chamber of Commerce–Ghana are also participating.
Professor Mercy Afua Adutwumwaa Derkyi, former dean of the School of Natural Resources at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, said the programme would build knowledge and skills while strengthening networks and partnerships. Forestry Commission authorities expressed hope that remote sensing and mapping would help combat illegal activities affecting forest reserves and resources.
