FtF Ghana AgNRM Quarterly Progress Report (FY 2016/Q3)

The project aims to address environmental and natural resource management challenges in the north of Ghana, aligning with the Government of Ghana's Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy and the Nature, Wealth and Power framework. The project's conceptual model integrates food security and water systems, highlighting their importance to nutrition and resilience. The project's approach focuses on mutually reinforcing, systemic changes that will drive transformative change in the agricultural sector. The project interventions are expected to result in the adoption of improved practices, technologies, and behaviors; better functioning value chains and governance structures; more equitable access to land and resources; and increased capacity of organizations to improve natural resource management, address drivers of environmental degradation, and enhance rural livelihoods. The project's four outcomes are: 1) Increased Incomes from Natural Resource Products; 2) Improved Food and Nutritional Security; 3) Increased Farmer and Community Security/Access to Land and Natural Resources; and 4) Strengthened Environmental Stewardship. The project's Year 1 work plan was finalized during the AgNRM Year 1 work planning meeting held at Mole National Park from June 15-17, 2016. The meeting brought together the prime and sub-grantee organizations to set the stage for the integrated approach that will drive the activities over the life of the project. The workshop was designed to foster open exchanges between the new team members and to collaboratively plan activities for Year 1, harmonize those activities into a coherent work plan, and translate those activities into a performance monitoring plan. The project has made significant progress in setting up its operations, including identifying and leasing office space in Tamale and Accra, establishing a project bank account, and receiving VAT Relief Introductory Letter from USAID. The project has also signed sub-awards with all three sub-grantees: TechnoServe, CECOTAPS, and NCRC. The project has established an office in Accra, co-located in TechnoServe's office compound, and has drafted an operations manual, vehicle log book, and vehicle use policy. The project has also hired key personnel, including a Project Coordinator and a Start-up Consultant, and has engaged security services in Tamale. The project's progress in the first quarter has been significant, with the establishment of a strong project team and the development of a comprehensive work plan. The project is on track to meet its objectives and is expected to make a significant impact in the agricultural sector in Ghana. The project's next steps will focus on implementing the Year 1 work plan and achieving the project's outcomes.