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Monday 09:00 - 17:00 Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00 Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00 Thursday 09:00 - 17:00 Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Rights & Advocacy Initiatives Network, Dr. O. Afriyie Akita Av, Aburaso, Kumasi (2026)

10/08/2026

🌱 Strengthening Capacity for EUDR-Compliant Cocoa Production in Ghana 🌍

RAIN, in collaboration with and support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ( Services) under the Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme (FGMC) 2, organized a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for Community Extension Officers of Cocoa Health and Extension Division -Asiwa Cocoa District.

The training, held under the theme “Strengthening Capacity for EUDR-Complaint Cocoa Production in Ghana,” formed part of ongoing efforts to support Ghana’s cocoa sector in complying with the European Union Deforestation Regulation ( ) by building the capacity of the extension officers to cascade practical information to farmers within their operational areas.

Participants explored the three key elements of EUDR compliance: -free production, and . Particular attention was given to farm mapping and geolocation, the Cocoa Management System (CMS), farmer identification, cocoa cards, colour tagging, data accuracy and cocoa segregation.

The training was highly interactive, with participants raising practical questions around local cocoa processing, land-use changes, traceability systems, cocoa cards and the applicability of EUDR requirements. These discussions helped connect the technical aspects of the regulation to the realities Extension Officers are likely to encounter when working with farmers.

A key takeaway was the critical role of Community Extension Officers as the link between EUDR requirements and cocoa farmers. Beyond understanding the regulation themselves, participants are expected to support farmers through continuous sensitization, registration and mapping, accurate record keeping, proper identification, farm colour tagging and responsible cocoa production practices.

To support the cascading of knowledge, participants identified practical approaches including farmer sensitization meetings, cooperative engagements, community information centre announcements, one-on-one farm visits, home visits, church engagements and practical field demonstrations.

For RAIN, strengthening the capacity of frontline actors is an important step towards ensuring that EUDR requirements are translated into practical knowledge and action at the community and farm levels.

European Union in GhanaGhana Civil-society Cocoa Platform (GCCP) VOICE Network

Paulina Amenyona Josephine Osei-Mainoo Joseph Adu-Tutu Osei-Wusu Felix Nketia

03/08/2026

RAIN facilitated a two-day training session on "Embedding Career Development Centres (CDCs) in the TVET Ecosystem: Bridging Skills, Industry, and Opportunity." as part of the EU + program, “The VET Ecosystems for Employability in Ghana (CB-VET)”.

The sessions brought together liaison officers from Kwadaso Agric College (KAC) and Adidome Farm Institute (ADFI), representatives from agribusinesses, farms, government agencies, and other key stakeholders to strengthen institutional capacity for establishing sustainable Career Development Centres at the KAC, Kumasi.

Participants explored practical strategies for integrating Career Development Centres into institutional systems to provide students with career guidance, employability skills training,
internship coordination, entrepreneurship support, employer engagement, graduate tracking, and labour market information services.

A major outcome of the workshop was the development of institutional action plans by both participating institutions. These roadmaps will guide the establishment and operationalization of Career Development Centres through strengthened governance, stakeholder engagement, industry partnerships, resource mobilization, and sustainable implementation strategies.

The workshop also reinforced the importance of collaboration among educational institutions, industry, government, alumni, and development partners in ensuring that graduates are equipped not only with technical competencies but also with the skills, networks, and opportunities required to thrive in an evolving labour market.

As implementation begins, RAIN will continue to provide technical support through follow-up engagements, peer learning sessions, and stakeholder collaboration to ensure the successful establishment of functional and sustainable Career Development Centres.

The project being funded by EuropeanUnion brings together a consortium of seven partners: Maastricht School of Management, Kwadaso Agricultural College, CINOP Global, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, American Farm School, Bunash Enterprise and Farms and Rights and Advocacy Initiatives Network (RAIN)

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01/08/2026

Shaping Restoration Through Community Voices

Restoring a begins with understanding both the landscape and the people who depend on it. Through the approach, restoration is guided not only by ecological considerations but also by the knowledge and experiences of local communities.

As part of our TerraFund-supported restoration work, RAIN collaborated with the Forest Services Division (FSD), Bekwai Forest District, and participating farmers to assess and identify a suitable degraded forest site for restoration under the Modified Taungya System ( ) within the Fum Headwaters Forest Reserve in the Bosome Freho District.

Through consultative engagements and field assessments, community members shared insights that helped shape site selection. By listening, verifying conditions on the ground, and working together with the Forestry Commission, a restoration site that better supports inclusive participation while advancing a shared goal of restoring the Fum Headwaters Forest Reserve was identified.

The identified site marks an important milestone, setting the foundation for the next phase of restoring the Fum Headwaters Forest Reserve through continued collaboration among RAIN, and relevant stakeholders.

A special thank you to Benjamin Ntow of the Vumbuzi Impact Africa (VIA) Foundation for his technical guidance and continued support throughout this process.

This work forms part of the movement through for AFR100, supporting locally led restoration across Ghana's Cocoa Belt.
World Resources Institute Impact Africa Foundation

22/07/2026

🌱Restoration Begins with Communities: Building Local Ownership for Forest Recovery

Successful forest restoration begins long before trees are planted. It starts with conversations, trust-building, knowledge sharing, and working together with the people who live closest to the landscape. As part of the initiative, supported by TerraFund for AFR100, a restoration financing initiative led by the World Resources Institute (WRI), RAIN is implementing the project dubbed“ Planting Trees, Building Sustainable Livelihoods: A Community-Based Forest Restoration Initiative” within Ghana’s Cocoa Belt.

Over the past months, RAIN with support from the Bekwai Forest District has engaged fringe communities around the Fum Headwaters Forest Reserve through community entry, consultations, sensitization, and knowledge-sharing activities to build understanding, strengthen participation, and create a shared vision for restoration.

Through continuous engagements, community members have shared their perspectives, contributed ideas, and gained knowledge on their role in supporting restoration. Farmers have also been sensitized on nursery establishment and management, and have actively supported preparations for nursery operations. These efforts demonstrate that lasting restoration is built through partnership.

By strengthening community ownership and collaboration, RAIN is contributing to the movement — restoring ecosystems, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and building resilience against climate change. We are grateful to TerraFund for AFR100 and its partners—World Resources Institute (WRI), Vumbuzi Impact Africa Foundation (VIA), One Tree Planted, Realize Impact, and Africa Trees—for supporting locally led restoration efforts across Africa

| WRI Africa Vumbuzi Impact Africa (VIA) Foundation

28/06/2026

🌳 Strengthening the implementation of Social Responsibility Agreement (SRA) in Ghana’s forest sector – Traning for Forestry Commission officials and Timber Companies in Ashanti and Ahafo Regions.

Between 10th and 18th June 2026, a four training workshops were organized for officials of Forestry Services Division and timber companies in the Ashanti and Ahafo Regions under the project “Support for the Implementation of Social Responsibility Agreements (SRA) in Ghana’s Forest Sector,”.

The training brought together middle level managers from the Juaso, Mankranso, Bekwai, Offinso, Kumawu, Mampong, Nkawie, and New Edubiase, Goaso and Bechem Forest Districts, alongside representatives from Logs Court Limited, Capo Limited, Ibrahim & Sons Limited, NeneAddo Enterprise Limited, Asaase Aban Company Limited, Supremo Wood Processing Limited, Dorothy O. Company Limited, and Fizzfun Company Limited.

The trainings focused on the legal and operational requirements of Social Responsibility Agreements (SRAs), stakeholder roles and responsibilities, revised SRA procedures, and compliance requirements under Ghana’s Timber Legality Assurance System (GhLAS) and the FLEGT-VPA framework.

A key highlight of the training was the candid discussions on practical challenges affecting SRA implementation across the regions. Participants raised concerns about the absence of dedicated community bank accounts for receiving SRA funds, weak functionality of some Local Social Responsibility Agreement Committees (LSRACs), low awareness of community rights and stumpage values, and inadequate community participation in decision-making processes.

An issue that generated significant discussion was the management of the 55% share of stumpage fees allocated to District Assemblies. Participants questioned how these resources are utilized and whether adequate monitoring mechanisms exist to ensure they support development projects in timber-producing communities.

The workshop reinforced a critical message: effective implementation of SRAs is not only a legal requirement but also a vital tool for ensuring that forest fringe communities benefit directly from timber harvesting activities while promoting sustainable forest governance.

This Project is implemented jointly by Civic Response, Rights and Advocacy Initiatives Network, DEVNEST Systems and Forestry Commission with funding from Agence Française de Développement (AFD)

RAIN

23/06/2026

🌱 Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders in Sustainability

As part of efforts to develop legal capacity of females and gender mainstreaming in Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT), RAIN in collaboration with ClientEarth and funding from FCDO under the FGMC 2 programme organized a Seminar for female students at the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources (FRNR) – KNUST. The Seminar dubbed “Women in Sustainability: Advancing Careers, Leadership and Green Entrepreneurship” brought together 120 students from the department.

The aim of the seminar was to build the capacity of these females through mentorship and networking to enhance their active involvement in the forest, agriculture, natural resources and green economy space.

Participants were inspired by presentations from Dr. Elizabeth Asantewaa Obeng of CSIR-FORIG, who encouraged young women to pursue excellence, build confidence, seek mentorship, and position themselves for leadership opportunities. Dr. Shaibu Ishak of Bunush Enterprise also challenged participants to view environmental problems as business opportunities and highlighted the importance of innovation and value addition in creating sustainable livelihoods.

A panel discussion featuring Dr. Elizabeth Obeng, Dr. Lawrence Brobbey (Senior lecturer at KNUST), Ms. Justina Amoah (National Coordinator of Youth-NREG platform, SYND), and Dr. Shaibu Ishak provided valuable perspectives on navigating career pathways, overcoming barriers faced by women in sustainability, building professional networks, and embracing entrepreneurship as a tool for environmental and economic transformation.

During an interview session, a Packaging Technology student expressed her appreciation for the seminar, noting that one of her key takeaways was the importance of value addition. She indicated that hearing directly from an experienced entrepreneur and industry professional helped her better understand how processing, packaging, and innovation can significantly increase the value of products and create sustainable business opportunities.

At RAIN, we believe that achieving sustainable development requires inclusive leadership and meaningful participation of women in environmental governance and natural resource management. By investing in young women today, we are helping to build a future generation of leaders, innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs who will drive positive change for people and the planet.

Together, we can create more opportunities for women to lead, innovate, and thrive in sustainability.

22/06/2026

🌱 Success Beyond Restoration!

What started as a forest restoration initiative has grown into a thriving community enterprise in Antwi-Agyeikrom, a community in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.

Through the “Partnerships for Forest Protection and Livelihood in a Changing Climate” project funded by GowerStreet, some women farmers received training on nursery establishment and successfully managed a 10,000-capacity tree seedling nursery for the Modified Taungya System (MTS).

Inspired by the skills they acquired, these women took the initiative to establish their own cocoa seedling nursery, creating an additional source of income for their households. Even more impressive, they are selling quality cocoa seedlings at prices that are more affordable than those commonly found on the market, making planting materials accessible to more farmers.

This is a testament to the power of capacity building—when communities are equipped with practical skills, they can create opportunities that extend far beyond the original project objectives.
🌳 Building livelihoods.
🌱 Supporting restoration.
🤝 Strengthening community resilience.

20/06/2026

RAIN, in partnership with ClientEarth and support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the Forest Governance Markets and Climate (FGMC 2) programme, organized a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for Community Extension Officers of Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) -Bekwai Cocoa District.

The training, held under the theme “Strengthening Extension Officers’ Capacity on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR): Building Knowledge for Farmer Awareness and Compliance,” formed part of ongoing efforts to support Ghana’s cocoa sector in preparing for and complying with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The workshop enhanced participants’ understanding of the EUDR and its implications for Ghana’s cocoa industry, with a focus on deforestation-free cocoa production, traceability requirements, legal compliance, and the critical role of farm mapping and geolocation. Through interactive presentations, and discussions, extension officers strengthened their capacity to provide technical guidance and lead farmer sensitization efforts across cocoa-growing communities.

As key frontline actors in farmer engagement, Community Extension Officers play a vital role in supporting cocoa farmers to understand emerging market requirements and adopt practices that promote and responsible cocoa production. Strengthening their knowledge and skills is an important step towards improving farmer preparedness, safeguarding market access, and advancing Ghana’s commitment to deforestation-free cocoa production.

RAIN remains committed to working with partners, government institutions, and cocoa sector stakeholders to promote sustainable livelihoods, forest conservation, and climate-resilient cocoa production.

We sincerely appreciate the support and collaboration of ClientEarth, the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), the Bekwai Cocoa District Office, and all participants who contributed to the success of this training.

13/06/2026

🌳 Building a More Inclusive Timber Sector: Advancing Gender Mainstreaming in Ghana’s Timber Value Chain

is not only about strong policies and regulations. It also requires the active participation of women, men, and youth across the timber value chain.

On 3 June 2026, Rights and Advocacy Initiatives Network (RAIN), with support from the European Union and the European Forest Institute, organized a Training of Trainers (ToT) on Gender Mainstreaming in Ghana’s Timber Value Chain in Kumasi.

The training was held under the project, “Support to FLEGT-related Multi-Stakeholder Platforms and Non-State Actor Participation in Tree Tenure Reform in Ghana” which is being implemented by a consortium comprising TaylorCrabbe Initiative (TCi), Tropenbos Ghana, EcoCare Ghana, Rights and Advocacy Initiatives Network (RAIN), and Nature and Development Foundation (NDF).

A total of 30 participants attended the workshop, representing timber operators/traders, millers, processors, furniture makers, handicraft exporters, and women-led timber organizations from Ashanti, Central, Western, and Western North Regions.

The sessions covered important topics shaping Ghana’s forestry sector, including the FLEGT-VPA process, the Ghana Legality Assurance System (GhLAS), gender mainstreaming, social inclusion, and ways to strengthen participation in multi-stakeholder decision-making processes.

A key discussion focused on the challenges that limit the participation of women and youth in the timber sector. Participants identified barriers such as limited access to land, finance, training opportunities, leadership positions, and decision-making platforms. They also proposed practical solutions, including mentorship programmes, targeted capacity-building activities, improved access to finance, and increased representation of women and youth in leadership and governance structures.

The training strengthened participants’ understanding that sustainable forest governance and responsible timber trade can only be achieved when all stakeholders have equal opportunities to contribute and participate.

As participants return to their associations to share knowledge and promote change, they are equipped with the skills and commitment needed to advance gender equality, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and support a more inclusive and sustainable timber sector in Ghana.

🌱 Together, we can build stronger institutions, empower local actors, and promote more equitable forest governance.

08/06/2026

Tree for Life (T4L) Launch Meets World Environment Day 2026

On 5th June 2026, Team RAIN in collaboration with the Juaso Forest District, joined the nationwide launch of the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative at St. Mary's Girls Senior High School as part of the celebration of World Environment Day 2026.

This year's World Environment Day theme, "Inspired by Nature: For Climate. For Our Future," and the Tree for Life theme, "Forests and Economies," both emphasize the critical role of healthy forests and ecosystems in tackling climate change, supporting livelihoods, and securing a sustainable future for all.

Together with forestry officials, teachers, school leaders, and members of the Green Girls Eco Club, participants planted approximately 60 shade and fruit trees on the school compound, demonstrating a shared commitment to environmental restoration and climate action.
The event not only contributed to Ghana's reforestation efforts but also empowered students to become environmental ambassadors within their schools and communities.

RAIN extends its sincere appreciation to Gower Street for supporting our Partnerships for Forest Protection and Livelihood in a Changing Climate Project, through which environmental education, youth engagement, forest restoration, and climate resilience initiatives continue to make a positive impact across our project communities.

The Project funded by GowerStreet supports RAIN's efforts to strengthen forest protection, promote sustainable livelihoods, and build climate resilience in Ghana.

Together, we are planting more than trees—we are growing a greener, more resilient future.

Rights & Advocacy Initiatives Network

10/08/2026

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Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00