Promoting Health in Deg Communities

This project aims to use an integrated rural development approach to achieve mutually reinforcing goals of improving health, food security, natural resource protection and conflict resolution in Northern Ghana. The four inter-related project components are: (i) improving women’s economic productivity and quality of life by training female village extension officers, supplying agricultural farming inputs to women, and providing women with training related to agricultural best practices, animal husbandry, HIV/AIDS, food utilization and nutrition; (ii) strengthening health systems by training community-based volunteers to collect health information, detect disease, and raise awareness among community members about preventive health practices; (iii) protecting the environment by training volunteers to prevent illegal fishing practices and promoting sustainable fuel sources; and (iv) promoting community cohesiveness by training local chiefs and young people to mediate community disputes.