Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project

In Ghana, as elsewhere in Africa, savanna woodlands provide valuable environmental services, are a crucial refuge for native biodiversity, and also protect soil and water resources against degradation. About 70% of Ghana’s total supply of firewood and charcoal, estimated at 16 million m3, comes from savanna zones, which also provide medicinal plants (the primary source of healthcare to residents) roofing grasses, fencing poles, bush meat and fruits. The northern savannas are a source of important farmer crop varieties (cereals, roots/tubers and legumes). The future survival of the majority of indigenous crop varieties is in doubt. Similarly, an increasing number of the medicinal plants are threatened. Preserving these genetic stocks and knowledge of their use will require specific interventions to ensure that these wild/native varieties are not completely lost through inappropriate practices or replaced by introduced varieties. The project’s primary objective is to improve the environment, livelihood and health in the northern savanna zone of Ghana through the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources including medicinal plants. The global environment objective is to identify, monitor and conserve key components of the biodiversity of the northern savanna zone.