Kamahego and Selle communities in Daffiama-Bussie-Issa (DBI) District have benefited from dugouts under the Sustainable Land and Water Management (SLWM) project to support poor rural farmers undertake dry season farming.

The dugouts for the two farming communities are expected to improve food security and provide sufficient water for livestock rearing.

The construction works of the 4,000-meter cube dugouts involved earth embankments, planting of trees and planting of Vertiva grass to protect upstream and downstream slopes from erosion.

The Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology (EST), Mrs Patricia Appiagyei and some members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on EST inspected sites of the projects with journalists early this week.

Mrs Appiagyei said the project was to support the sustainable development initiative for Northern Ghana to realize the vision of “a diversified and resilient economic zone in the north with significant regional environmental benefits”.

Their visit coincided with the celebration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, which was on the theme: "Improving Resilience of our Communities Livelihoods through Sustainable Land Management Practices".

"Land Degradation Neutrality: The Surest Pathway to our Future and Livelihoods" was the slogan for the celebration.

The SLWM project seeks to promote the adoption of more sustainable and climate resilient agricultural and land management practices from a menu of appropriate SLWM technology options by offering tailored incentives to farmers in northern Ghana.

Mrs Appiagyei explained that the project sets out to maximise local employment, while constructing productive infrastructure assets, which had the potential to generate local secondary employment effects.

It would also protect households and communities against external shocks. The community members are expected to be engaged temporarily and earn cash, but the deputy minister added, there were also secondary benefits.

Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Manso Adubia Constituency and Chairman of the EST Committee, said every Ministry had an oversight committee and any Ministry that would embark on anything without the approval and supervision of the select committee in parliament, their action would be considered as illegal.

He explained that, hence, their movement with the Ministry to inspect ongoing projects.

Naa Ire-sung Chiire, the Chief of Kamehago, said the project would help improve their household income and provide the opportunity for the community members to engage in all-year-round farming, which could prevent the youth from going into galamsey.

He called on government to address the issue of poor road network, lack of effective education and Healthcare delivery in the community.