By Emmanuel Gamson, GNA
Obrayebona (W/R), April 30, GNA – The Community Partnerships for Citizens Action and Development (COPCAD), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has introduced rabbit rearing to residents of Obrayebona in the Mpohor-Fiase District of the Western Region as an alternative livelihood to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Obrayebona is a rural community where illegal mining has become a major source of livelihood for many young people.
The initiative forms part of COPCAD’s Sustainable Communities Against Illegal Mining (SCAIM) project, which is being funded by the KGL Foundation.
The project seeks to promote rabbit farming as a sustainable, environmentally friendly and inclusive livelihood option for communities that have been economically and environmentally affected by illegal mining activities.
It also aims at promoting community-based monitoring and advocacy systems to discourage destructive mining practices and protect natural resources.
The project targets the youth, women, young girls, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups within the community.
Mr Alfred Aggrey, Project Officer of COPCAD, said the SCAIM project was one of the organisation’s strategic interventions to address the devastating effects of illegal mining in the Mpohor-Fiase District.
Mr Aggrey, who was speaking at an inception meeting to introduce the project to the chief and people of Obrayebona, said the intervention would begin with a pilot phase.
He explained that selected individuals would be provided with rabbits and other necessary inputs to enable the organisation assess the broader impact of the project before a full roll-out.
Mr Aggrey said beneficiaries would also be linked to veterinary officers for technical support and assisted to access ready markets for their rabbits upon maturity.
“This project is not just about farming, it is about empowerment, environmental justice, and community-led change, so our aim is to help educate, support, and uplift vulnerable groups,” he noted.
He stated that the ultimate goal was to build resilient communities that could thrive without resorting to illegal mining activities.
Mr Aggrey therefore called for the support and cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
Some participants who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) expressed support for the initiative, saying that when successfully implemented, it would help reduce the dependence of the youth on illegal mining for survival.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Emmanuel Gamson
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