I had no money to buy peanut seeds to start a peanut farm. My husband has been down with sickness so fending for our family was very difficult. Through the Babanayaa Project, I’m able to buy food to feed our family.
REBECCA
In 2021, NEA supplied several community dams with fish fingerlings to boost their protein needs and about 18,000 fingerlings to some fish farmers in the region. As a result, the Fish Commissioner of Ghana has given NEA the award as the Region’s Best Fisher for 2021.
SOALE
(NEA Project Manager & Fishery Sector Head)
Women in our community used to trek several kilometres before they could get water, but the mechanized borehole and dam has relieved us of that plight.
AKWASI NFRODJOUR
(Baniantwe OpinIon Leader)
DR. DAVID MENSAH
GROWING IMPACT TOGETHER!
As I look back on the past year, I am grateful for all the hands that have joined together – hands in Ghana, Canada, the United States and England – to grow our impact in an ever-increasing number of lives and communities in Northern Ghana.
The picture on the cover page of this report portrays what I’m talking about. One of our Babanayaa women is tending to peanut plants in her field. She is dedicated to caring for and nurturing these plants to grow healthy and flourish. And she is a wonderful example of how YOU, our generous and faithful partners, have been part of this growth, year after year.
2021 certainly contained some challenges; however, together we made great strides amid the setbacks.
Rain is the most important and yet most unpredictable component of crop production. As we embarked on the new peanut farming project with 250 women farmers, the rains came late, which delayed planting, and then they were torrential at the time of harvest, yet they still harvested 1,224 bags of peanuts. Rebecca, just one of the 250 women featured in this report, told us what a difference it has made for her family.
Beyond this, I am delighted to report that as a result of the training we have provided for the women’s co-ops in 10 communities, they have each set up their own savings programs and are in the process of opening bank accounts! We did not expect to see this type of impact until the end of the project, but this is a clear sign that these women are already well on the way to achieving sustainable livelihoods.
In addition, the completion of construction on the Leyaata Hospital was delayed because of heavy rains and COVID. Some of the materials needed took a very long time to arrive. Yet work has continued, and we are getting ready to paint the buildings, pave the roads, and order the furniture for the hospital staff housing.
Universities were closed for a period, and yet since they reopened, we have sponsored a record number of young men and women on their journey to become self-sufficient through the scholarship program.
As we look back at 2021 with thankfulness for all God has done, we also look toward what is in store in 2022. 250 more women will plant and harvest their peanut farms. Construction on two church buildings will be completed. More pastors will be trained. More students will be given the chance to excel. More food will be produced. The Leyaata Hospital will open its doors and begin its life-saving and life-changing care. We have much work yet to do.
Tens of thousands of lives have already been transformed with your help. We look forward to sharing with you in 2022 how that will multiply!
May Bakah says
Amazing impacts! My role models and real gems in development – Dr & Mrs Mensah, GRID/NEA Team! The Lord mightily shine His grace upon you and reward you as no man can.
DOROTHY LESLIE says
So wonderful to have the personal video. Thank you so much for the information and the encouragement. God Bless and keep you, may GRID & NEA always be lead the the Holy Spirit.
Kathy says
Praising the Lord for His hand leading these outcomes, His faithfulness and His love for all. Thank you Lord. We pray for your continued guidance, provision and protection as well as our faithfulness as partners.