The Centre for Sustainable Rural Agriculture and Development (CSRAD), has provided starter packs to 36 women in Amanzule Wetlands catchment communities in the Ellembelle District to enable them to begin a career in Baking, Beading, Soap making and Decoration.
The beneficiaries received ovens, gas cylinders, set of decorative items, sets of beading and soap making materials totaling more than GHS 60,000.00.
The gesture, first begun with training of the women in those trade areas and falls under the project “Greening and integrating youth and women to strengthen conservation of Amanzule Wetlands for generational benefits” funded by the New England Biolabs Foundation.
The project is being implemented in four Amanzule catchment communities including
Azulenloanu, Ampain, New Bakanta and Old Bakanta.
As part of the project activities, CSRAD had in 2024 trained some women who depend on the wetland resources to support their means of living, especially the mangrove trees as fuelwood for fish smoking and other household activities, in the alternative livelihoods.
This is intended to support the women to obtain some self-employable skills which they can use to establish their own micro-enterprises for economic empowerment to reduce over-dependence on the wetland resources and ensure sustainable utilisation.
Mr. Emmanuel Ackon, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer said about 100 women from the four communities had been trained in Soap making, Bead making, Pastries and Decoration, out of which 36 received the starter packs to give them a good start.
He indicated that further school and community education were also ongoing to consolidate awareness on the need to preserve the Amanzule Wetlands, which was home to some national and globally important wildlife species.
Mr. Ackon thanked the New England Biolabs Foundation for funding the project and asked the beneficiaries to put the items to effective use.
Mr Joseph Agyekum, the District Chief Executive for Ellembelle District, praised CSRAD for helping to bridge the job gap in the area and encouraged the beneficiaries to start small, “look at Kwame Despite, we all know how he started and how determination has brought him, small beginning for a great ending.”
Mr. Samuel Nyamekye, an Administrator at the Jomoro District Forestry Commission, spoke against chemical introduction to water bodies and its health implications.
He urged the communities to own and manage natural resources well for the sake of future generations.
Nana Ackah Nwozah III, the Chief of Bakanta was full of gratitude to CSRAD for responding positively to his request to support the women with starter packs and advised the women against bad financial practices.
He added that as a custodian of the land he has given his subjects strong warning about unreasonable cutting of the mangroves to conserve the wetland.
He charged CSRAD to monitor the utilization of the packages to measure the impact on women’s welfare.
Earlier, CSRAD engaged Mr. Edwin Arthur from the Ellembelle Business Advisory Centre to train the beneficiaries in entrepreneurship, branding and marketing, fiscal management and booking keeping enabling them to start their businesses prudently.
Madam Diana Cobbinah, 48, and a beneficiary told the GNA that the opportunity would enable her to contribute significantly to the upkeep of her family and become self-sufficient.
Madam Christiana Blay, who learnt Decoration said, “now that I have this skill and items to start work, I will not go back to the wetland to undertake the strenuous task of cutting mangroves.”