REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL WATER DAY 2016

REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL WATER DAY

 On World Water Day, people around the world express their care and that they have the power to make a difference. World Water Day is observed worldwide each year on March 22nd. It is an opportunity to focus attention on a natural resource that all our lives and livelihoods depend on. Each year, UN-Water, the entity that coordinates the UN’s work on water and sanitation sets a theme for World Water Day corresponding to a global challenge. This year, World Water Day highlights how water and jobs interact to transform people’s lives. Almost half of the world's 1.5 billion workers are working in water related sectors and nearly all jobs depend on water and sanitation are essential workers’ lives and health.

On this day, millions of people who work in water are often not recognized or even protected by basic labour rights. This needs to change. It is a day on which to be inspired and take action to make a difference for those who can’t take water for granted.  Every hour 38 workers die from water-related diseases. These deaths can be prevented with better water and sanitation (improved quality drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and related knowledge).

 Abibimman Foundation therefore on the 22^nd day of March 2016 celebrated the world water day in collaboration with the Kingdom Dynamic Future Home with the pupils of God Almighty International School in Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The pupils participated in an interactive talk on the basic provision of adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services at home and in the school. They also asked questions on how to purify water from various sources and they relate to impacts lives through its presence, quality and quantity.

The pupils engaged in the formation of a club that would be coordinated by the Abibimman Green-Life Club to help the students become ambassadors of WASH in their district. Water has the ability to create paid and decent jobs. It can contribute to a greener economy and sustainable development. But for this to happen, we need more qualified workers. And we need those workers to work in dignity, equality, safety and have a fair income. The President and founder of Kingdom Dynamic Future Home, Mr. Prince Anthony Blessed Amegbor, promoted the day’s celebration with the assistance of the head teacher of the School

 Mr Emmanuel Modzaka and a teacher, Mr. Antwi Agyeipong. The pupils engaged happily in the global celebration and sang songs to show how much water means to them and everyone. Many have lived without love, yet not one without water. It is therefore a necessity to commemorate this day of a substance that is substantial and crucial, and a unique source of life.

Miss Christiana Bonni, Project Coordinator of Abibiman Foundation  said access to a safe, reliable and affordable supply of water and adequate sanitation services, creates an enabling environment for long-term employment opportunities, as well as development and growth across different economic sectors.

This is especially important when we factor in the important role water quality and water quantity play. For example, in the irrigated agriculture sector, which represents 70 per cent of freshwater withdrawals globally, a farmer's job depends on their ability to manage the available freshwater while at the same time facing challenges such as groundwater depletion, climate change and water scarcity. Agriculture accounts for more than 90 percent of freshwater withdrawals. Without improved efficiency measures, agricultural water consumption is expected to increase by about 20 per cent globally by 2050.  In the forestry sector, it is often necessary to reduce deforestation to avoid water shortages or excess water flows with negative impacts on a region, resulting in lay-offs in the industry.

Christiana Bonni,

Project Coordinator

Abibimman Foundation.

www.abibimmanfoundation.org

Email:info@abibimmanfoundation.org

ABIBINSROMA REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS

REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS.

            The 21^st day of March each year marks the international day of forests, popularly known as international forest day. The day is celebrated globally in diverse ways to portray the gratitude of all humans to mother earth for the provision of forest reserves and its unlimited benefits. This year,  Abibinsroma Foundation in collaboration with Kingdom Dynamic Future Home, celebrated the day with the pupils and Staff of Only Believe International School (Kukurantumi) in the Akim District of the Eastern Region here in Ghana. The day was not originally popular with pupils and therefore presented an opportunity for them to be part of the event.

The Project Coordinator of Abibinsroma Foundation and the President and founder of Kingdom Dynamic Future Home, Mr. Prince Anthony Blessed Amegbor, who presented the opportunity to several students to understand the significance of forests and the role they play in climate change mitigation, how useful they are as sources for food, water, raw materials and other uses.

As the UN theme for this year is “water and Forests”, Forests are home to more than 80 per cent of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. They provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent communities, with approximately 1.6 billion people relying on forest resources for their livelihoods, with most of them (1.2 billion) using trees on farms to generate food and cash. Ecosystem services are essential for human wellbeing. They provide food, water, energy and other benefits. Thus it is important to connect ecosystems to global development priorities.

The head teacher of the School, Mr. Justice Nii Klu and his assistant, Mr. Francis Ampaw were grateful to the two organizations for coming together to promote the international day of forests celebration with his school. The students partook in a tree planting exercise to mark the day and help support the Chinese proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, and the best next time is now”. The event saw some students who pledged and dedicated themselves to taking care of their trees they planted for posterity sake.  

            The pupils of the school participated in the event by expressing their views on how forests should be protected in relation to its role as a source of fresh water for most communities, asking interesting questions and answering very challenging questions which proved that the young understood the benefits water and forests play in their lives and the climate change mitigation process as a whole. All the students were glad they were part of a global celebration of this kind and expressed their keen interest in celebrating the day annually. Abibinsroma Foundation therefore seeks to promote the integrity sustainability of our forest reserves as they are vital to the water cycle and the best ticket to carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation.

Isaac Korku Dorgbetor

Project Coordinator

Abibinsroma Foundation.

www.abibinsromafoundation.org

Email:info@abibinsromafoundation.org

Coalition of Animal Rights and Welfare Action in Ghana. (CARWAG)

Animal Rights and Welfare: A call to peaceful coexistence.

Animals, be it wild or pet, food or sport, there is much humans must do to be humane towards them. Some years back, Ghanaians were agitating for freedom and they finally became the first sub-Saharan country to gain theirs. Other countries followed and still are. Non-human animals sadly, have no champion, but fortunately some humans have stood up for them in many countries. Ghana is now gaining grounds as an online search can reveal to you there are animal right activists in the country. Critics of animal rights argue that animals are unable to enter into a social contract, and thus cannot be possessors of rights, a view summed up by the philosopher Roger Scruton, who writes that only humans have duties, and therefore only humans have rights. One may ask, what are animal rights and animal welfare and how similar or different are they? The simple answer to that is: Animal rights is the philosophy of allowing non-human animals to have the most basic rights that all sentient beings desire: the freedom to live a natural life free from human exploitation, unnecessary pain and suffering, and premature death. This is what the animal rights movement is about; it is not about working for equality between human and non-human animals. Animal welfare on the other hand seeks to alleviate the suffering of animals while they are being exploited, without attempting to question the fundamental basis of whether it is acceptable to exploit animals in the first place. How does humanity intend to solve differences among its own species when it cannot learn to make peace with the other animals on earth? Humans need to start thinking and living in terms of co-existence, as opposed to dominance. You certainly do not have to love your neighbors, but you should be able to get along with them. Peace begins with the individuals who make a conscious effort to go through life making the least negative impact possible. The 21st-century debates about animals can be traced back to the ancient world, and the idea of a divine hierarchy. In the Book of Genesis 1:26 (5th or 6th century BCE), Adam is given "dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." Dominion need not entail property rights, but it has been interpreted, by some, over the centuries to imply ownership. However, Bernard Rollin writes that "dominion” does not entail or allow abuse any more than does dominion a parent enjoys over a child. According to Immanuel Kant, cruelty to animals is wrong only because it was bad for humankind. He argued in 1785 that "cruelty to animals is contrary to man's duty to himself, because it deadens in him the feeling of sympathy for their sufferings, and thus a natural tendency that is very useful to morality in relation to other human beings is weakened. There is a saying which reflects how animals’ rights have been abandoned by their neighbours (humans in this sense):

     When they came for the socialists, I didn't do

     anything, for I wasn't a socialist.

     When they came for the Gypsies, I didn't do

     anything for I wasn't a Gypsy.

     When they came for the Jews, I didn't do

     anything for I wasn't a Jew.

     When they came for me, there wasn't anyone

     left to do anything for me.

So the choice is ours. We can seek for the welfare of animals or their rights, and it all depends on background factors, such as gender, occupation, type and level of education, religion, and one's attitude towards nature. This is because, animals whether kept as a pet or food at least deserve:

1.      suitable environment to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,

2.      housed with, or apart from, other animals,

3.      suitable diet and water

4.      and be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

Abibimman Foundation is therefore dedicated to promoting Animal welfare and rights in Ghana and the World. Let’s Join hands and create an environment for peaceful coexistence with our neighbours: animals. If you are interested, call or send an Email to Join the Coalition of Animal Rights and Welfare Action in Ghana. (CARWAG)

Isaac Korku Dorgbetor

Coalition of Animal Rights and Welfare Action in Ghana. (CARWAG)

Abibimman Foundation

P.O.BOX B1 Tema

-Ghana

info@abibimmanfoundation.org

Pontius140@live.com.

Abibiman Foundation, Press Release: International Women Day celebration 2016

Press Release: International Women Day celebration 2016

March 8th each year marks International Women Day originally called international working women day. This is a day set aside to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women. The UN theme for this year's celebration is" planet 50_50 by 2030: step it up for gender equality”. A mission that we all have to embark on for the achievement of a society where gender parity is a basis of harmony and mutual development.

For us, it is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to honor actions of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of our country and communities. As this year marks another year for elections in Ghana, Abibimman Foundation would like to use this day to promote the interests of women in leadership as the previous elections saw more women in positions which would be a drive and motivation for others in the ultimate goal of achieving gender parity in some few years to come. Abibimman Foundation’s theme for this year’s International Women’s Day celebration is “The role of women in national elections and governance" as a talk on the progress made by women in positions would help other nations make way for such inputs.

Abibimman Foundation therefore urges all Ghanaians and organizations to know that discrimination, stigmatization and outrage are major barriers to the achievement of gender parity as to suit the UN theme for this year's celebration " planet 50_50 by 2030: step it up for gender equality”.

The role of women in national elections and governance is important and therefore, women’s rights has to be at the center of every political party’s manifesto as a strategy to address the staggering and growing challenge of gender parity. There is therefore the need to stress for platforms to discuss issues that militated against women’s empowerment. Women play an important role in society when it comes to elections and governance. As we approach yet another season of election where tension and violence are prone in certain communities, there is the need for extra measures for peace and security to be put in place for their rights to be protected by stakeholders and organizations.

Everyone, both men and women can pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly, whether to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership, respect and value difference, develop more inclusive and flexible cultures or root out workplace bias. Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence and commit to take pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity.

Christiana Boni

Projects Coordinator (Gender and Human Rights)

Abibimman Foundation

ABIBIMAN FOUNDATION, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FOR IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FOR IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS – 2016 AT LAKPLEKU IN THE NINGO PRAMPRAM DISTRICT OF THE GREATER ACCRA REGION.

Amidst the Climate change effects on rainfall pattern, chilli pepper production is a means of livelihoods support for the people of Lakpleku. February to March are therefore months of land preparation and nursery practices in order for them to meet rainy season which is however not entirely reliable.  Abibimman foundation therefore saw it as an avenue to help give back to society as good practices in farming would be the best and this is because good preparation and opportunity amounts to success. 

Abibimman Foundation in collaboration with the District agricultural Development Unit of the Ningo Prampram District in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana therefore organized a workshop session for chili pepper farmers in the community of Lakpleku, located in the Ningo Prampram district. Lakpleku is not too far from the Industrial city of Tema. The inhabitants of the Lakpleku community are mostly farmers. The chili producers dominate the farming population. The theme of the programme was dubbed “Good Chili Pepper Production practices for Wealth and Health “, which saw  an attendance of more than Fifty (50) Chili pepper farmers with almost a perfect gender balance as the women farmers matched their counterparts in numbers in proportion. 

The programme involved a facilitation and demonstrative transfer of agricultural innovation, interactions and contributions. The farmers were particularly grateful to the Foundation for organizing such an event in conjunction with the Agricultural Development Unit and wished for more of such event to be emulated over time. The farmers however lamented about the lack of investors and government help in acquiring inputs to maximize their yield. The main challenge they faced was the activities they would have to engage in, once the rainy season was over. A farmer made a remark which was quite troubling, “I very much appreciate your technology you have brought us, yet as a peasant farmer, how would I be able to purchase some of the good inputs you have suggested to us?” This concern of the farmer came from the point of view that, they are willing to scale up but current situations are not letting them. 

Abibimman Foundation is therefore pleading to the general public to look at the option of investing, yet assisting in farming for equity when it comes to sustainable livelihoods. A well invested capsicum (pepper) farm can yield up to 120% profit depending on the type of pepper and how passionate the farmer is about protecting his crops. A profit margin of such magnitude may not even be offered by some forms of investments in the banking sector. Chili pepper apart from forming part of most Ghanaian dishes and therefore both a spice and adjuvant has many uses including medicinal (A very large study conducted by the British Medical Journal found some indications that humans who consume spicy foods, especially fresh chili peppers, were less likely to die of cancer or diabetes . 

Pepper is also used in diabetic neuropathy), Crop defense (deters elephants from feeding on crops in some parts of Africa and Asia) and industrial such as pepper spray because of the presence of the chemical, Capsaicin which is the primary component in the pepper spray. Red chilies contain large amounts of vitamin C, B (B₆ mostly) and small amounts of carotene. Yellow and especially green chilies (which are essentially unripe fruit) contain a considerably lower amount of both substances. They are very high in potassium, magnesium, and iron.

Abibimman Foundation in its own way to contribute more to this society’s means of livelihood support has therefore started a two acre chili pepper farm in the same community as a model farm that would serve as a site for education, demonstration of innovation and mentorship programme for some other organizations to follow.

At the end of the workshop, the grateful farmers therefore pleaded that the media should make their needs known to public for investors, philanthropist and other stakeholders to aid in acquiring inputs like certified seeds, farm tools, regular extension services, tractor services at relatively low costs and credit facilities.

Dorgbetor Isaac Korku Dorgbetor

Projects Coordinator (Agriculture and Biodiversity)

Abibimman Foundation.

An insight with the executive director of Abibiman Foundation

Ghana economy relies heavily on climate sensitive sectors mainly on agriculture, energy and forestry. About 70% of the population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture and forest sector for both timber and non-timber forest products. Any anomaly in the climate therefore tends to affect the economy of Ghana, particularly the vulnerable.

The limited use of irrigation facilities and high dependence on unfavorable climatic conditions for the realization of good harvest tend to introduce huge instability in the standards of living of the people. The percentage of cultivated land under irrigation in Ghana is 0.89%.

This is equivalent to 23,657 hectares. Consequently, majority of Ghanaians, who live in the rural areas and thrive mainly on rain-fed farming in rural communities, become disproportionately vulnerable since they are most exposed to hazards such as bush fires, flooding and droughts and are least capable of adapting to such hazards.

Meet Kenneth Amoateng, a young hardworking Executive Director of Abibiman Foundation who shared his experienced with me helping his community adapt to climate change. He is a change maker and a climate champion in his community. Throughout his life, he does not think about himself alone but how well others survive in the community.

Please introduce yourself

I am Kenneth Amoateng, the executive director of Abibiman foundation, I am a social worker and a social activist advocating for climate change issues, education, human rights just to name few.

How did you become a climate change advocate?

Being driven by the passion to help society, I got involved in the fight to combat climate change as a result of the adverse impact of climate change on some communities and how it made the inhabitants vulnerable due to the washing away of the coastal lands of Tema manhean, a fishing community in which I once lived.

As a young person, how do you help your community to adapt to climate change?

As a young person, I decided to educate my community by creating greater awareness on climate change through the local community radio. I started speaking on radio to create the awareness on the causes of the washing away of the beach and what they as a community members can do to become less vulnerable. I also went to schools to speak to student and formed clubs at the schools to educate the students as well.

What motivated as a Climate change activist?

My motivation was found in the realization of the community members wanting to fight climate change through their own small way through their participation in designing local strategies to adapt to climate change. The willingness of the community members motivated me to study more about climate change and educate more people especially the youth and build their capacities to take up initiatives to build resilience.

As the executive director of Abibiman foundation, is there any climate change projects you undertook and what impacts has it got to the community?

We have undertaken a number of climate change projects such as the climate justice hearings in 2009, 2011 and 2015 where we tried to assess the knowledge of the rural people especially women to assess their level of vulnerability and find out the local/indigenous ways in which the adapt to the impacts and help them develop local coping strategies through community participation. We have also established the Green Life Clubs in a number of senior high schools and junior high schools since 2010 till date to educate the students and build their capacities while empowering them to develop their potential to become climate change advocates and build resilience.

What is your impression about climate change adaptation in Ghana? Is the future bright or gloomy?

Climate change adaptation in Ghana is the way to go. Looking at the economics of climate change, adaptation in my view is a step in the right direction. Communities in Ghana must be help to become resilient in order to make them less vulnerable and minimize losses and damages. They will also be able to manage disaster risks. I will therefore say climate change adaptation is bright as we expect it to receive a lot of funding.

Has your organization ever taken any climate change impact awareness in your community? What is the result?

My organization has taken a number of climate change impact awareness across the 10 regions of Ghana and a number of communities in these regions. Most of the rural farmers have had a clearer understanding of climate variability which has enabled them to engage in climate smart agriculture.

What adaptation measures did you introduce to your community?

Local indigenous knowledge includes and not limited to: defined knowledge of plant and animal species, water harvesting technologies, food preservation techniques, seed selection, soil conservation though no tillage and other techniques, use of early warning systems to predict climate changes, use of indigenous techniques in the management of pests and diseases, and multi-species composition of herds to survive climate extremes.

Adaptation measures to manage climate change risks. should include; Climate smart agricultural Fisheries production, Diversification of livelihoods/ alternatives, Decentralization of local governance of resources, Alternative energy uses, Infrastructural development, Climate information, Early warning systems, Insurance schemes.

We cannot win the battle against climate change without the indigenous and scientific knowledge, raise awareness and public education on Climate change in the community.

Fariya Abubakari, a climate tracker for Global Call for Climate Action.

Email: fariyaabubakari@yahoo.com

Read more at: http://www.modernghana.com/news/673524/an-insight-with-the-executive-director-of-abibiman-foundatio.html

Ghana SDGs implementation and delivery mechanisms should strong focus on the poor and bottom-up approach

We will call on Ghana government to implement bottom-up approach time-bound SDGs-based national development strategies with appropriate plans and budgetary allocations; to improve SDGs implementation and delivery mechanisms with a strong focus on the poor and excluded groups particularly Women, Youth and Children; to produce concrete plans to enhance domestic resource mobilization that will be earmarked for SDGs achievement; to create and implement plans for increased transparency and fighting corruption,



Kenneth Nana Amoateng
Abibiman Foundation-http://www.abibimmanfoundation.org
P.O.BOX BT 1 Tema.Flat 1/A 74 Site 3(OPP T.DC),Commmunit 1Tema-Ghana/African
Tel#  +233-506766466/233-303934983/030213918/Mob:233244023651ken@abibimmanfoundation.org,info@abibimmanfoundation.org

kamoateng@iday.org

I'm on assignment to my generation.

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