By Magdalena Scharf
In Ghana, climate change is not an abstract concept discussed in faraway conferences. It is
something you can see, feel, and live with.
Erratic rainfall patterns disrupt farming seasons. Once-fertile lands face soil degradation. Increasing heat waves make daily life more difficult, and in coastal areas, rising sea levels erode communities. These shifts directly affect livelihoods in a country where agriculture employs a large part of the population.
Yet while the climate crisis is undeniable, so is the creativity and resilience of communities
responding to it. Across Ghana, local initiatives are stepping in where global promises often
fall short. One such initiative is the Ghana Permaculture Institute (GPI), located near
Techiman in the Bono East Region.
Founded with the vision of creating sustainable livelihoods and restoring ecosystems, GPI
has grown into a hub for ecological innovation. It trains farmers and communities in
regenerative farming techniques, including soil conservation, agroforestry, and sustainable
water management. They specifically target women, girls and youth with their community
workshops.
Moringa makes the difference
The institute’s projects are diverse. Mushroom cultivation and, especially, Moringa
production. Moringa is a nutrient-rich tree that is grown in the region. The institute
processes and sells Moringa powders, seeds, and oils, alongside organic cosmetics and
soaps. Over the past three years, GPI has exported around 50 tons of Moringa products,
creating steady income for farmers not only in Ghana, but also through cross-border
collaboration with producers in Burkina Faso. Locally, the Institute is well-known and
highly respected. Farmers around Techiman and neighboring regions recognize GPI as a
trusted resource.
To extend its reach, GPI also runs a weekly radio program, broadcasting ecological
knowledge and sustainable practices. These episodes provide practical advice and spark
discussions in rural households that might otherwise lack access to climate information.
Nationally, however, awareness of GPI and similar initiatives is uneven. While their work is
recognized within permaculture networks and among NGOs, the broader Ghanaian
public—especially in urban centers like Accra or Kumasi—are less familiar with the
Institute’s activities. This gap illustrates a larger challenge in climate journalism: bridging
the gap between local stories of resilience and national or international attention.
For journalists in Ghana and the wider Global South, the task is not only to report on the
dangers of climate change, but also to amplify the solutions already emerging at the
grassroots. Too often, narratives about Africa in the climate crisis focus solely on
vulnerability. Yet, places like the Ghana Permaculture Institute show that communities are
not passive victims — they are innovators, educators, and stewards of sustainable futures.
As climate impacts intensify, the world needs to hear more from Ghana and the Global
South. Climate journalism that tells these stories — of challenges, but also of resilience and
ingenuity — has the power to shift perceptions and influence policy. The work of the Ghana
Permaculture Institute is just one example of how communities are quietly building
resilience in the face of a global crisis. It deserves not only local recognition, but a national
and international spotlight.