The concept envisages collaboration among SAFI, World Vision and the University for Development Studies. Partner confirmation and funding are still being developed.
Status: Concept refinement, partner confirmation and funding development. This is not yet an agreed or funded programme.
Why Riverine Forests Matter
Riparian and gallery forests along the Red Volta hold water, soils, biodiversity and routes used by wildlife, including elephants. Their condition affects climate resilience on both sides of the Ghana–Burkina Faso border.
Proposed Approach
- Assisted natural regeneration — Help degraded riverine woodland recover, rather than relying on planting alone.
- Indigenous ecological knowledge — Work with the stewardship practices of communities who live with these forests.
- Community stewardship — Agree local roles in protection, use and monitoring.
- Scientific monitoring — Track forest recovery, habitat connectivity and the conditions wildlife need to move.
Connection to Wildlife Corridors
Restored gallery forest can support elephant habitat connectivity along transboundary savanna corridors. That aim complements SAFI’s separate active work on elephant movement. It does not, by itself, claim that corridors are already protected.
Next Steps
The next work is to refine the concept, confirm partners and develop a credible funding path. Geography, activities and responsibilities will be published when they are agreed.