World Vision Ghana (WVG), in collaboration with RACED Ghana and with funding support from the PATRIP Foundation, has officially launched the BORDER Project—an ambitious initiative designed to build resilience and promote peace in some of the most vulnerable communities along Ghana’s northern frontier. The initiative is a timely response to the growing socio-economic and environmental challenges facing the Upper East and Upper West regions.
The BORDER Project specifically targets communities in the Sissala West, Binduri, and Bawku West districts, including Zini, Fielmo, Issakatinga, Bansi, and Tarikom, as well as the Zini and Tarikom Refugee Camps. These communities are increasingly under pressure due to worsening climate shocks, food insecurity, deteriorating access to clean water and healthcare, and the influx of refugees fleeing conflict in neighboring Burkina Faso.
Speaking at the launch, officials emphasized the need for a comprehensive, community-led response to the multiple challenges threatening both stability and development in the area. The BORDER Project aims to directly benefit 19,219 individuals—13,454 Ghanaians and 5,765 Burkinabe refugees—and is expected to indirectly impact an additional 33,657 people.
The project will implement a suite of integrated interventions, including the provision and rehabilitation of solar-powered water systems, the construction of eco-friendly biofill sanitation facilities in homes, schools, and healthcare centers, and the refurbishment of healthcare facilities with a focus on maternal and child health.
It will also establish drip irrigation systems to promote year-round farming, while training farmers in climate-smart agricultural practices. Additional components include promoting sustainable land use through the creation of Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) and strengthening the capacities of traditional leaders, local authorities, and security personnel in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
A key element of the initiative is the enhancement of early warning systems and community preparedness to effectively respond to crises, thereby boosting the overall resilience of communities affected by both environmental and conflict-driven shocks.
The objectives of the BORDER Project are to enhance resilience to climate and conflict-related disruptions, improve access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and food security, promote peaceful coexistence between host communities and refugees, and foster environmental sustainability.
Expected outcomes include increased availability of clean water, improved sanitation and healthcare access, enhanced food security and economic prospects for vulnerable groups, and stronger local governance and peacebuilding mechanisms. The project also aims to protect the environment through sustainable land management and reforestation efforts.
The BORDER Project is aligned with Ghana’s National Development Plan 2030 and supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also contributes to the broader Gulf of Guinea Joint Response Plan, underscoring its regional importance.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah
