Project Activity Updates Archives

Refugee Mothers Learn New Cooking Techniques to Improve Child Nutrition

April 28, 2026By Moses

The community of Gentiga came alive this week as refugee and host-community mothers gathered for an interactive cooking demonstration under NABOCADO’s Collaborative Child Health Initiative for Lifesaving and Development (CHILD) Project.

Facilitated by the Health Program Directorate, the session was designed to equip mothers—especially those caring for children under 5—with practical skills for preparing nutritious meals using familiar, local ingredients.

Nutrition officers from the Bawku District Health Directorate led the training, combining essential nutrition education with hands-on preparation of child-friendly meals. Mothers had the opportunity to practice new cooking techniques, ask questions, and taste improved recipes enriched with locally available vegetables.

A key highlight of the demonstration was the integration of fresh green leafy vegetables produced by the women themselves through their CHILD Project-supported home gardens. This connection between agricultural support and household nutrition has become a powerful driver of change in the project communities.

Held across all seven CHILD Project communities in the Bawku West, Binduri, and Nabdam Districts, the cooking sessions have created a lively platform for women to share their experiences, exchange traditional recipes, and collectively explore ways to enhance their children’s health.

The enthusiasm displayed by the women reflects their commitment to building healthier families and strengthening community resilience. By promoting practical, community-based learning, the CHILD Project continues to empower mothers with the skills and confidence needed to improve child nutrition sustainably

Project Activity Updates

18-Year-Old American Youth Donates 25 Beds and Relief Items to Burkinabe Refugees at Tarikom

February 27, 2026By Athanasius Ataarem

Joey Schoene and the Tarikom refugee community celebrate together during his donation visit.

NABOCADO is delighted to share an inspiring act of compassion from 18-year-old American youth, Joey Schoene, who has donated 25 wooden beds with mattresses, food and other items to Burkinabe refugees at the Tarikom Reception and Settlement Center.

Joey first encountered the challenges faced by refugees during a visit with other youth from the USA to the Diocese in August 2025 facilitated by CRS. Moved by the living conditions of refugees, he returned home and initiated a personal fundraising effort integrated into his senior year high school project — to support the sleeping conditions of the refugees.

Joey Schoene waves warmly as he arrives at the Tarikom Reception and Settlement Center.

This week, Joey returned to Ghana with his father, Michael, and with coordination from NABOCADO and CRS Ghana, he presented the beds along with the following items to the refugees:

Items Donated

🛏️ 25 wooden beds with mattresses

🍚 42 bags of rice

🧂 Salt

🩹 Sanitary pads

⚽ Footballs

📚 Learning materials for Tarikom Primary School

Joey rolls up his sleeves to help carry donated items to the camp.

Joseph and his dad helping to nail some wood

Joey and his father Michael assist with assembling the wooden beds.

Joey spent nearly a week touring and supervising the construction and assembly of the beds, ensuring that the donation was done with care and dignity.

Refugees settle onto their new beds at the Tarikom Reception and Settlement Center.

At a time when the camp faces increased vulnerability after the withdrawal of support from UNHCR and other partners, Joey’s gesture brought renewed hope, dignity, and encouragement to the refugee community.

Joey shares a joyful moment playing football with a child at the camp.

We celebrate this extraordinary young leader for choosing kindness and solidarity with displaced families in need. We also appreciate the efforts of all stakeholders who made this possible.

A Message of Gratitude

Thank you, Joey — for reminding us that compassion knows no borders, and that one young person’s courage can change lives.

Tarikom Refugee Project Humanitarian Response Refugee Support CRS Ghana

Project Activity Updates

NABOCADO Facilitates Formation and Training of Neighborhood Watch Committees

September 4, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem

NABOCADO – Neighborhood Watch Training Initiative

45

Volunteers Trained Across 3 Communities

NABOCADO has successfully facilitated the formation, screening, and training of three Neighborhood Watch Committees (NWCs) in collaboration with the Zebilla District Command of the Ghana Police Service. A total of 45 volunteers, 15 each from Agaago, Tilli, and Widnaba/Kokoo in the Bawku West District, participated in this important training.

Training participants or group photo from the Neighborhood Watch Committee training

This initiative is part of the PEACE-PROTECT project, funded by the European Union and implemented by COGINTA Ghana, using community policing strategy to empower communities in fighting against violent extremism.

The training, facilitated by the District Commander of Police, Zebilla, took participants through comprehensive modules including the concept of neighborhood watch, types of crime, crime detection, reporting procedures, observational skills, teamwork, collaboration and the DON’TS of NWC operations.

District Commander of Police facilitating the training session

“If your work succeeds, we will have grounds to expand it to other areas” – District Chief Executive

The District Chief Executive, who opened and closed the training session, expressed his gratitude to NABOCADO and COGINTA Ghana for their commitment to promoting peace in the Bawku West District. He indicated that his doors are open for future collaborations and appealed to the participants to take the concept of securing their communities seriously.

District Chief Executive addressing the participants

           Key Training Modules Covered:
           Concept of neighborhood watch
Types of crime and detection methods
Proper reporting procedures
Observational skills development
Teamwork and collaboration strategies
Guidelines and restrictions for NWC operations

       

In his closing remarks, the M&E Officer of COGINTA Ghana who observed the training emphasized that while it is the duty of the Ghana Police Service to ensure security, their numbers and other challenges require public support, especially in border communities. He entreated all participants to embrace the NWC concept to protect the peace currently being enjoyed.

M&E Officer from COGINTA Ghana during closing remarks

Next Steps: Inauguration ceremonies for the Neighborhood Watch Committees will be conducted in the target communities in due course.

Together, we are building safer communities!
And ensuring social justice for all.

#NABOCADO #NeighbourhoodWatch #CommunitySafety #COGINTAGhana #PeaceProtectProject

Project Activity Updates

Local Innovation: How Abodaah Amogiusine is Transforming Farming in Nabango.

September 9, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem

Abodaah’s Story

At 62 years old, Abodaah Amogiusine, a smallholder farmer from Nabango in the Kasena Nankana West District, is proving that resilience and innovation are at the heart of sustainable agriculture.

Abodaah Amogiusine on her groundnut farm

Through her participation in the SCRAS Project (Strengthening Smallholder Farmers’ Resilience Against a Changing Climate and Promotion of Environmentally Friendly Agriculture), funded by Misereor of Germany and implemented by NABOCADO, Abodaah has developed her own local farming innovation: she applies ash (locally called “nakiah”) from kitchen wood to her groundnut farm. This simple yet effective method helps improve soil moisture retention and contributes to better yields.

Abodaah demonstrating her ash application technique

In addition to this practice, Abodaah also applies other sustainable agriculture techniques promoted under the project, such as cereal-legume intercropping and the use of self-made compost.

This farming season, Abodaah is delighted with the results on her 1.5-acre groundnut field, cultivated with technical support from NABOCADO project officers. Her innovation is a clear example of the project’s objective of empowering rural farmers to reduce dependency on chemical inputs by adopting and intensifying sustainable agricultural practices.

Results of Abodaah's sustainable farming practices

The ultimate goal of the SCRAS Project is to ensure that rural households increase food security and nutrition diversity, while building resilience to climate change. When farmers like Abodaah adopt local innovations, apply improved knowledge, and achieve better yields, they contribute to global efforts to eliminate hunger and poverty while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 1: No Poverty
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal 13: Climate Action

Abodaah’s story is a powerful reminder that solutions to global challenges often begin with local innovation.

Project Activity Updates

PROSSFA PROJECT TRAIN NABOCADO STAFF ON INTEGRATED VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

May 13, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem

Our dedicated staff recently completed a two-day training on integrated vegetable production, aimed at empowering youth farmers through the Professionalization of Small-Scale Farmers (PROSSFA) Project in the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese.

This initiative, part of a partnership program between Ghana, Germany, and Uganda, focuses on equipping young farmers with the skills to integrate pig farming, fish farming, and vegetable production into a professional agribusiness framework. So far, we’ve trained 30 youth in pig and fish farming, and 13 participants, including staff, had the opportunity to learn in Uganda last October. NABOCADO is committed to building the capacity of youth to create sustainable jobs and livelihoods in agriculture!

#youthinagriculture #sustainablefarming #nabocado

Story by: Moses Apana, NABOCADO.

Project Activity Updates

FARMERS PARTICIPATE IN EXCHANGE LEARNING TO BONGO DISTRICT

May 13, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem

Exciting few days in Bongo District! Our team, led by Albert Avoka and Solomon AJongba, facilitated inspiring exchange learning visits for selected farmers from Buterisa and Mirigu communities to Kabre. During the visit, farmers in Kabre shared valuable insights on indigenous and sustainable farming practices with their peers from Builsa South and the Kassena-Nankana districts respectively.

#SustainableFarming #ClimateResilience #InnovationFair

Story by: Moses Apana, NABOCADO.

Project Activity Updates

Bishop Agyenta Commissions New Child and Maternity Centre in Wiaga

June 11, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem

Wiaga, Builsa North District – On Saturday, June 7th, Bishop Alfred Agyenta presided over the commissioning of the newly completed Rev. Fr. Philippe Marneffe Child and Maternity Centre at St. Lucas Hospital in Wiaga.

The 48-bed facility was constructed by Sir Clement Akapame, a businessman and philanthropist and his family who pledged to build the centre five years ago in honor of the late Rev. Fr. Philippe Marneffe. Fr. Marneffe, a French Missionary, who is remembered for his lifelong dedication to serving God and the people of Wiaga, and for founding the Wiaga Hospital, which began as a small healthcare initiative.

Rev. Fr. Philippe Marneffe Child and Maternity Centre

In an address read on his by his wife on his behalf, Sir Akapame said the project was his family’s contribution to the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese “for the promotion of the health needs of the people of Wiaga and its surrounding towns.” Sir Akapame expressed his gratitude to God for making the execution of the project possible and to his wife and children for their encouragement.

During the inauguration, Bishop Agyenta praised Sir. Akapame for his generous contribution. “Sir. Akapame’s selfless dedication to the development of the Catholic Church is commendable. The Catholic Church’s mandate of offering spiritual guidance must also encompass meeting the physical needs of the community, including health, education, justice, and livelihood,” he stated.

Dr. Joseph Bangu, Executive Director of NABOCADO, also expressed gratitude to Mr. Akapame for his philanthropic efforts. “We urge the management of the facility to utilize this structure effectively,” he said. “I encourage the staff of the hospital to provide professional and competent services that align with the Catholic tradition of human dignity and respect.”

The Child and Maternity Centre is a 4 million Ghana Cedis project, featuring a 48-bed capacity and specialized medical sectors, including Newborn Intensive Care Units, labor and delivery rooms, laboratory facilities, and consulting rooms for two nurses’ stations.

This new centre aims to enhance healthcare services in the region, continuing the legacy of Fr. Marneffe and addressing the urgent health needs of mothers and children in the community.

Project Activity Updates

NABOCADO HOLDS SEED FAIRS IN 6 SCRAS PROJECT DISTRICTS

May 13, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem

Over the past weeks, our field officers have facilitated Seed Fairs in communities across 6 districts where the Livelihood and Advocacy Directorate of NABOCADO is implementing the SCRAS project.

The Seed fairs aim to increase farmers access to seeds especially indigenous and climate tolerant seeds. Farmers got the platforms to interact, exhibit their seeds for other farmers and stakeholders to see and acquire if needed. Farmers had the opportunity to interact with stakeholders in agriculture, and fellow farmers to also learn about the latest innovations in seed storage, usage and best practices for sustainable farming. The Seed Fairs chalked great successes, with many farmers leaving with new seeds and knowledge to help them improve their livelihoods and contribute to a more sustainable farming in their communities.

#SustainableFarming #ClimateResilience #InnovationFair

Story by: Moses Apana, NABOCADO.

Project Activity Updates

HAPPY PROJECT: NABOCADO EQUIPS YOUTH FARMERS WITH KNOWLEDGE ON GOOD AGRONOMY PRACTICES

May 13, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem

This week, NABOCADO, in collaboration with CRS Ghana, is hosting a 5-day workshop to train 110 youth farmers and Agricultural Extension Agents from the Upper East and North-East regions.

The training is held under the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth, #happyproject where NABOCADO’s Livelihood and Advocacy Directorate serves as a local implementing partner with CRS Ghana.

As the farming season reaches its peak, our goal is to equip these participants with essential knowledge on good agronomy practices to boost their production and productivity in the Rice and Soybean value chain.

The HAPPY Project, an initiative of the MasterCard Foundation in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited and other partners aims to create over 326,000 dignifying and fulfilling jobs for youth with special attention to women and people with disabilities.

#SustainableFarming #ClimateResilience #InnovationFair

Story by: Moses Apana, NABOCADO.

Project Activity Updates

NABOCADO SCRAS PROJECT FACILITATE DOCUMENTATION OF LOCAL INNOVATIONS

May 13, 2025By Athanasius Ataarem

Livelihood and Advocacy Directorate of NABOCADO is currently collaborating closely with communities to document validated Local Innovations introduced by farmers in their food production, storage, and livestock management. This initiative follows a series of successful activities aimed at enhancing farmers’ capacity to innovate using local resources to address challenges and seize opportunities. The process of developing local innovations for widespread adoption includes identifying and validating innovations, conducting Participatory Innovation Development (PID) sessions, showcasing innovations at community and district level fairs and exhibitions, documenting innovations and their processes for sharing and further development.

The Diocesan Livelihood and Advocacy Directorate is currently documenting these developed innovations for scaling up and out in partnership with organizations such as the Department of Agriculture and the Forestry Commission. Promoting local innovation is a key strategy of NABOCADO as an alternative to excessive reliance on agro-chemicals by farmers.

These activities are part of our ongoing efforts to promote Sustainable Agriculture Practices among smallholder farmers in the Diocese, encompassing both farming and livestock management. This aligns with the key objective of the Strengthening of Smallholder Farmers’ Resilience towards a Changing Climate and Promotion of Environmentally Friendly Agriculture in the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga (SCRAS) project funded by Misereor.

#SustainableFarming #ClimateResilience #InnovationFair

Story by: Moses Apana, NABOCADO.