Special thanks to Lola Bissi who contributed this article for publication.
Advocates for Biodiversity Conservation (ABC), a Ghanaian environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO), is making remarkable strides to promote bamboo as a sustainable solution for ecological restoration, economic empowerment, and environmental conservation. Founded in 2015 by passionate nature enthusiasts, ABC envisions a world where empowered communities collaborate to secure a sustainable future for humanity and nature. ABC believes that bamboo is a vital resource that aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship. Its rapid growth, strength, flexibility, and eco-friendly properties render it an invaluable solution to global challenges such as deforestation, climate change, and improving livelihoods.
Bamboo agroforestry
To harness its full potential, ABC launched a bamboo agroforestry program in Guata, a town in the Yilo Krobo District in Ghana’s Eastern Region. This initiative integrates bamboo cultivation with food crops, offering a multifaceted approach to ecological balance and socio-economic development while preserving the dignity and well-being of local communities. Over the past four years, ABC has distributed and planted more than 50,000 bamboo seedlings across nine communities, benefiting 350 farmers (30% of whom are women). The program actively improves tree cover, enhances soil health, and increases farmers’ income, significantly mitigating environmental degradation.
Bamboo construction
ABC showcases bamboo’s use in sustainable construction. Through the Knowledge and Skills Development Initiative, ABC collaborates with international partners to host German students from Rhein-Main University of Applied Sciences, supporting the Bamboo Training and Treatment Centre. The Centre features a treatment, drying, and storage facility, with plans for an administrative unit and guardhouse by March 2025. ABC aims to add training, guest, and tourist facilities to enhance bamboo use among locals and raise awareness about its potential region.
Bamboo advocacy
In a significant milestone, ABC hosted Ghana’s first-ever World Bamboo Day celebration on September 18, 2024, at the University of Ghana. The event, themed “From Plastic to Bamboo: A Ghanaian Transformation,” showcased bamboo’s potential as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastics, promoting biodegradable products. The event emphasised bamboo’s role in transforming communities, creating green jobs, and supporting local economies. It brought together stakeholders, including government officials, environmental advocates, business leaders, students, and community members, to discuss bamboo’s role in combating climate change and fostering green businesses. Notable speakers included Honourable Benito Owusu Bio Bamboo Enthusiast and Former Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources) and Michael Kwaku (Regional Manager, INBAR West Africa), all emphasising bamboo’s role in Ghana’s green economy. ABC is actively shaping a future through its bamboo initiatives where sustainable practices lead to environmental regeneration and socio-economic empowerment through the Transformational Agenda for Bamboo Development in Ghana Initiative.
By promoting bamboo as an alternative resource, ABC is not only restoring ecosystems but also fostering a green economy that benefits communities and ensures environmental sustainability. With continued support and strategic partnerships, ABC aims to expand its impact, further integrating bamboo into Ghana’s environmental conservation policies and economic development strategies.
Further reading
To learn more about how bamboo is improving landscapes and livelihoods in Africa and beyond, take a look at these related articles.
