Pathways to a Sustainable Future: Empowering Landless Farmers in Ghana
The project ‘Pathways to a Sustainable Future’ is a project in a new partnership that LØS has started with Krobodan in Ghana. Like so many other things, LØS is working to create paths to a more sustainable future – but in a somewhat different context.
PATHWAYS aims to empower farmers who do not own land, but who depend on the land for their livelihood – in three districts, approximately 400 landless farmers. Over the next 2 years, the project will combat poverty, hunger and inequality in rural areas by promoting sustainable living conditions, improving their organizational capacity and working for fair land rights.
Key challenges
The selected districts are characterised by widespread poverty, with landless farmers, who make up 70% of the local farming population, completely dependent on unjust, insecure and exploitative systems. Limited access to education, healthcare, financial opportunities and alternative livelihoods increase vulnerability, especially for women and people with disabilities. Climate change and lack of low-tech adaptation further undermine agricultural productivity. It is a vulnerable livelihood.
Key approaches
The project focuses on promoting Savings and Investment Groups (SIGs) to promote financial literacy, strengthen community organisation and sustainable income generation. There will be a range of trainings in alternative livelihoods, such as poultry farming, beekeeping, snail farming, organic farming and jewellery production using the beautiful Ghanaian pearls. Advocating for land rights reform and disability rights is central to ensuring the necessary long-term change.
And why is LØS involved in this project?
We are, because as an organization we are constantly exploring new, sustainable paths. And because a small group of people, rooted in Danish eco-communities, think it makes sense to work with sustainability globally – and completely locally in three districts in Ghana. It even works so intricately that Bjarne from Munksøgård, who is part of the project group, has been selling baskets from Ghana in Butik Aftensol for several years and that’s how he became interested in Ghana, fair trade, etc. Last year he was on a trip to Ghana and now he is helping to run the Pathways project. An excellent example of how just three people in LØS are enough to get started doing something meaningful together that has to do with sustainability and global partnerships.
The project is supported by CISU
Would you like to join the Ghana group or, like Bjarne, would you like to start creating a project together with others? Then contact
camilla@okosamfund.dk
Objectives and results
- Reduce poverty and hunger:
Household income of 80% of SIG members to increase by 20% and they must have transitioned to more sustainable, income-generating activities.
Promote health and gender equality:
Ensure that 80% of participants have access to healthcare through the national health insurance scheme and that 50% of women participate in SIG management.
Build organizational capacity:
Train Krobodan staff and SIG leaders to ensure the sustainability of the project.
In addition to the 400 smallholder farmers, the project will benefit approximately 2,000 people, including their family members. By working towards better land allocation policies and engaging local authorities, it will promote collaboration between stakeholders and ensure that marginalized voices are heard.
A Pathway to Sustainability
The ‘Pathways’ project is based on grassroots mobilization and, through capacity building, advocacy and community empowerment, will create a stronger foundation for socio-economic change in the three districts. It is about creating more opportunities.
Will you join us?
It is always welcome to have more volunteers involved in the projects, so that the project manager is not responsible for all the tasks.
If you are interested in this project, you can contact Camilla at