By Albert Futukpor, GNA
Lewuniyiri (S/R), Sept 08, GNA – A total of 33 vulnerable households at Lewuniyiri in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District have received livestock and other livelihood assets to strengthen their resilience and promote sustainable economic opportunities.
Seventy-two animals, made up of goats, sheep and pigs, were distributed to the 33 verified beneficiary households with each household receiving two female animals.
Six breeding males were retained as communal breeding stock to facilitate herd multiplication and ensure that the benefits of the intervention extended beyond the initial beneficiaries.
The revolving livestock grant scheme required the beneficiaries to pass on animals to other vulnerable households as their livestock stock increased thereby creating a sustainable mechanism for expanding the community’s livestock asset base.
The intervention was undertaken by CSD Reform, an NGO, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana.
It formed part of the Promoting Rural Opportunities for the Vulnerable and Excluded (PROVE) for Sustainable Development in Lewuniyiri project, which is being implemented under the UNDP Ghana’s Governance, Rule of Law, and Peacebuilding for Sustainable Development Flagship Programme.
It is funded by the Governments of Luxembourg, Denmark and South Korea.
Before the distribution, all 72 animals underwent veterinary inspection, vaccination, deworming and health monitoring to ensure that they were in good health and capable of contributing to the productivity and sustainability of the scheme.
As part of efforts to provide continuous technical support, a seven-member Community Livestock Volunteers Committee was also given refresher training in livestock husbandry, disease identification, treatment protocols and reporting.
The trained volunteers are expected to provide technical assistance to beneficiary households and support early identification and management of livestock health challenges.
To promote transparency, accountability and responsible management of the assets, a nine-member mixed-ethnic Project Management Committee was also established.
The committee, which has elected a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, is responsible for overseeing the resources and supporting the proper management and sustainability of the livelihood assets.
The combination of productive livestock assets, veterinary services, community-based technical capacity and accountable governance structures was intended to strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods and create sustainable economic opportunities for vulnerable households at Lewuniyiri.
GNA
Caption: Some of the beneficiaries with their animals 
Writer’s Email: [email protected]
Edited by Albert Futukpor /Kenneth Odeng Adade