Restoring a Critical Riparian Ecosystem in Ghana

This programme seeks to restore the upstream section of the Tano River, which spans over a 50km stretch within the Bono East Region of Ghana. The river provides critical services to both wildlife and local communities. It serves as the main source of drinking water for over 50,000 people living across seven communities. The river is also an essential source of water for farmers who depend solely on it to irrigate their farms, especially during the dry seasons. Thus, as farming-dominated communities, the Tano River plays a significant role in sustaining local livelihoods.

Additionally, this riparian ecosystem harbours several species of international conservation concern, including the Critically Endangered West African slender-snouted crocodile, the Critically Endangered hinge-backed tortoise, the Endangered White-bellied pangolin, the Vulnerable West African dwarf crocodile, and the Vulnerable Senegal Flapshell turtle. The area is also home to 162 bird species and several beautiful insects. Unfortunately, over 80% of the riparian vegetation in the area has been converted into farms, and the remaining forest patches are under serious threat.

Over the past three years, the Threatened Species Conservation Alliance (THRESCOAL) has been working closely with local stakeholders to restore the Tano River landscape. Through the generous support of our donors, the Prince Bernard Nature Conservation Fund, the Rufford Foundation, and Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), we have successfully replanted over 30 hectares of degraded areas and are currently monitoring to achieve full restoration. The goal of this project is to restore at least 350 hectares of this critical ecosystem to sustain rural livelihoods and promote conservation of the rich biodiversity found in the area.