Restoring the Daka River – Phase One

This project ran from 2017 to 2022 and helped to grow trees and restore the Daka river in partnership with Ecosia.

During this time we doubled the number of communities we support in the region. We've worked with 61 communities along the river, helping to restore it as a reliable source of water, all year round.

Read About Phase Two

1,000

ha of land restored

3,188,192

trees grown

2,285

households trained in
restoration techniques

Why this project matters

For many people in northern Ghana, the Daka river is a vital source of water for drinking, washing, cooking, and farming. But a rapid loss of trees and soil fertility, and the effects of the climate crisis, mean that the water level can easily run low, and the river dries out for months on end.

For local people, this has made growing enough food difficult. As a result, many people are living in poverty. But trees offer a solution. Throughout this project we have grown trees to restore the river and the land for future generations.

Our Aims

This project aimed to support women and children who are often the most vulnerable to hunger and poverty. Nutrition gardens were created and people received training on how to grow and care for moringa and baobab trees, providing nutritious food to 2,000 households.

We also worked with local authorities to influence policies and laws, helping to protect trees and promote the use of their products to make things like shea butter to sell. We supported communities with tools, training, and opportunities to sell their products in shops and kiosks.

I want the whole world to know how important trees are. These trees that we are planting along the river will also help us bring water back.

Makada, Yendi, Ghana

Watch Makada's story

Our IMpact

After four years this project was completed in February 2022, in that time nearly 3.2 million trees were grown along the Daka river. We supported 2,285 households with tools and training to help them restore and protect their land.

Some techniques they were taught include bushfire management, tree grafting and assisted natural regeneration (ANR) — a method used to restore ecosystems. With this technique, 1,458,222 trees have been regenerated.