The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Norway have signed an agreement to launch a project that focuses on strengthening resilience of vulnerable communities through climate-resilient livelihoods and integrated environmental practices in Northern Ghana. 

The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to addressing the pressing challenges faced by vulnerable farming communities in Ghana’s Upper East and Savannah regions. These areas have been disproportionately affected by erratic weather patterns, including prolonged dry spells, which have significantly reduced agricultural productivity and exacerbated food and water insecurity. 

The project aims to improve food security and nutrition and enhance the resilience of farming, fishing, and pastoral households. By adopting an integrated approach to fish, crop, and livestock production, the initiative seeks to ensure access to both food and income for households while promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. 

“This 35 million Norwegian krone multi-year project support to improve 3,000 farmers, fishers, and pastoral households’ livelihoods aligns well with Norway’s development priorities, particularly in areas related to food security and sustainable agriculture, as well as women’s rights and gender equality. The embassy looks forward to partnering with FAO for sustainable and inclusive growth of vulnerable communities in Northern Ghana,” said H.E. Ingrid Mollestad, Ambassador of Norway to Ghana.  

“By empowering rural communities and their institutions, strengthening resilience, and advancing gender equality, we aim to create meaningful, lasting impacts that will transform agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment a better life, leaving no one behind,” said Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa.  

Northern Ghana’s agriculture is primarily rainfed, making it highly susceptible to climate variability. Communities in the region face intensified floods, droughts, and water scarcity, all of which threaten livelihoods. Women, who play crucial roles in food production and informal trade, are disproportionately impacted by these challenges. 

To combat these issues, the project integrates interventions that promote women’s leadership, enhance access to finance through village savings and loan associations, and support women-led agribusinesses. These measures align with FAO’s Policy on Gender Equality (2020–2030), ensuring the inclusion of women as key stakeholders in sustainable rural development. 

The project contributes to Ghana’s national development priorities and the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), creating a pathway for sustainable livelihoods and inclusive economic growth in the face of climate challenges.