The Support Project for Meat and Livestock in West Africa and Chad (PACBAO) has successfully empowered women in communities by providing them with alternative sources of livelihood and income generation.
The project has enabled women to own cattle and engage in feed production and processing for sale at livestock markets.
These achievements were highlighted during a stakeholders' workshop in Tamale, where Mr Lukman Yussif, Director of Changing Lives in Innovative Partnerships and Coordinator of PACBAO, presented the project's accomplishments.
PACBAO, implemented from June 2019 to June of this year, was a collaboration between the Ghana Developing Communities Association, the University for Development Studies, the Pong Tamale Livestock Breeding Station, and the Bawku Livestock Dealers Association.
The project aimed to intensify the production of quality slaughter animals in the Northern and Upper East Regions, with sponsorship from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and support from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Mr Yussif emphasized the project's focus on capacity building for livestock breeders, partners, feed producers, butchers, and other stakeholders in the livestock value chain. Women, in particular, were trained in livestock feed production using farm residues to convert them into high-quality feed.
Additionally, selected women were provided with cattle and sheep for breeding and fattening, targeting festive seasons such as Eid-ul-Adha, Christmas, and Easter.
The positive impact of the project was evident, with women beneficiaries expressing empowerment and improved livelihoods.
Mr Yussif noted the significant response from the communities, particularly women, who represented 60% of the project beneficiaries.
He highlighted the transformation of women becoming cattle owners, which is uncommon in the region, and praised the project's outcomes and results.
Mr Yussif encouraged the beneficiaries to continue applying the knowledge and skills gained through capacity building, emphasizing the importance of livestock as a means of adaptation to climate change and providing support during crop failures.
The project received praise from beneficiaries, such as Madam Abibata Baba from the Gushegu Municipality, who commended PACBAO for keeping them occupied throughout the year.
Mr Osman Musah, the Gushegu Municipal Coordinating Director, highlighted how the project complemented farming activities and challenged cultural norms regarding women's ownership of cattle in the area.
The PACBAO project not only provided economic opportunities but also contributed to breaking down gender barriers in livestock ownership.
The success and positive feedback from PACBAO demonstrate the effectiveness of empowering women and promoting livestock development in the communities.