Indigenous Tree Foods of Northern Ghana

By Naomi Gichungu, 2nd year MDP student

Ghana had never been my intention, I had dreamt and envisioned myself in Vietnam. It has however been a rewarding experience, in the country estimated to be the closest to the center of the earth. I have had a lot of fun making new friends, using the public transport, and interning with Tree Aid Ghana. Working in the area of food and nutrition security in the North has also been a great treat. 

Northern Ghana has three different regions; Upper East, Upper West and the Northern regions. These regions are characterized by Savannah grasslands and scattered shrubs and trees. They experience the least and erratic rainfall compared to the rest of the country and therefore long drought spells. Future projections further predict an increase in the temperature from 1.0 to 3.0 °C by 2060, with the highest increases in Northern Ghana. Such conditions have shaped the work of Tree Aid Ghana. 

Working on the questionnaire with the field officer/ interpreter during the pretest

Focus Group Discussion in Pindaa Village during the pretest

With the intention to alleviate poverty and ensure community food and nutrition security, Tree Aid invests in Indigenous food trees. It works with communities to create enterprises around non-timber forest products while encouraging preservation and sustainable consumption of foods from these trees. My time with Tree Aid has been spent designing a research study to document Indigenous knowledge related to Indigenous tree foods. An initial desktop review helped to shape my ideas which I developed into questionnaire and focus group discussion tools. I went out to meet the community members during my pre-test in Savelugu and Paga Districts. Indigenous knowledge has always fascinated me. Community members had rich information regarding species such as Adansonia digitata (baobab), Parkia biglobosa (African locust bean) and Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea tree) which have been very instrumental for food and income. I got to sample a few of the fruits.

My colleagues in the office

With the help of Tree Aid partners in the field, and with support from the Country Director, we have reviewed our research tools. The organization intends to commission the study and collect data through its field projects and partner organizations. The Indigenous knowledge gathered will be considered in the development of enterprises and conservation efforts. The organization is striving to involve the youth in its future projects and this research will serve as a stepping stone for these projects.

Gardening and Development

By Leah McDonnell, 1st year MDP student

Leah in the garden

With my final days at NorWest Community Food Centre are closing in, I have begun to self-reflect on my time here.  Although I was designated to mainly support the creation of a traditional Indigenous medicine garden, I have been able to participate in many other areas of development through the organization. 

However, one of the biggest learning points for myself to take away from this internship is that I can garden.  I’m actually pretty darn good at it too.  I never thought that I would gain so many skills so quickly. I am lucky insofar as I work with a very supportive staff and the garden manager has decided to use this specific community garden as a learning experience.  What does that mean?  It’s ok to make mistakes (in my case, probably a few mistakes).  However, I have probably learned more by being able to try different ideas and make mistakes than I would have if I was given a strict set of rules. It also creates a very easy-going feel through the community garden itself, allowing people to come out, learn a little bit and relax in a safe and supportive environment.

Weekly community farmer's market in Blake Gardens

During my time at NorWest I have been involved with many different programs that run through the centre.  One of the most effective programs NorWest runs, in my opinion, is the weekly community farmer’s market in Blake Gardens.  The organization purchases, in bulk, various veggies, fruits, meats and eggs. Then sells these products back to community members at cost - for example, 5 bananas for $1CDN, 6 eggs for $1.50, etc.  The prices are kept as low as possible and the market does not make a profit.  Instead, it uses the money made during the week to invest in groceries for next week’s market.  While most of the produce will sell out, any that is left over is taken back to the food centre and is used in community lunches, so there is no waste.   

As there are direct linkages to access to healthy nutrition and development (both mental and physical) this market is able to address immediate needs in the community by providing healthy foods at affordable pricing.  While working at the market, I also got to know a lot of people in the community and made and fostered some great relationships. 

While I am sad that my time at NorWest is over, I have had a wonderful (and resume building) experience.

Miigwetch