SLinCA West Africa

24/12/2025

Management of SLinCA West Africa extends sincere appreciation to our dedicated staff, management team, and valued stakeholders for your remarkable contributions throughout the year.

We will be on a short break from 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, as we take time to rest, reflect, and recharge for the year ahead.

We wish everyone a 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫.

05/12/2025

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐃𝐚𝐲!

At SLinCA, we recognize that conservation is not only driven by science, but also by the people whose lives are closely connected to nature. Among our most important partners in conservation are the hardworking farmers in rural communities.

Farmers play a vital role by sharing ecological knowledge of local species (both flora and fauna) as well as traditional wisdom and sustainable practices that support long-term conservation.

Today, we proudly celebrate and appreciate all farmers across Ghana. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to nurturing the land, protecting natural resources, and sustaining our communities.

HAPPY FARMERS’ DAY! 🇬🇭

21/11/2025

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐂𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩: 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

As we recap a year of learning and growth at SLinCA West Africa, we are proud to share the success of its recent hands-on workshop. The program equipped participants with valuable skills for both research and career planning.

Participants learned the fundamentals and practical applications of the R programming language, enabling them to analyze data for ecological and scientific questions. There was also practical sessions in Microsoft Excel that enhanced their data organization, management and analysis capabilities

Interactive discussions that addressed pathways and opportunities after graduation, offering mentorship and direction for diverse career options in science and beyond were also addressed. The workshop fostered a spirit of collaboration, peer learning, and continuous improvement.

We remain committed to supporting aspiring researchers and professionals.

07/11/2025

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞!

At Sustainable Livelihood and Nature Conservation Alliance (SLinCA), we believe that caring for nature goes hand in hand with empowering communities and strengthening our team.

We are proud to share that one of our very own team member Mr. Rockson Acolatse has successfully completed a six-week online course on “𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞.” 🎓

This global learning journey explored how countries can mobilize resources and design smart finance solutions for nature , from public and private financing to innovative mechanisms that benefit both people and the planet.

The knowledge and skills gained by Mr. Rockson will greatly enhance SLinCA’s mission to promote sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. 🌍💚

We extend our sincere appreciation to the UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) for organizing this impactful training.

28/10/2025

𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐒𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐂𝐀)

At SLinCA, we are committed to ensuring that environmental conservation goes hand in hand with improving community well-being.
Through our projects, we support local people with sustainable livelihood options that reduce pressure on natural resources while promoting biodiversity conservation.

💬 “𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝.”?

By empowering communities, restoring degraded landscapes, and promoting sustainable resource use, we are building a future where both people and nature prosper together.

17/10/2025

Last week, the SLinCA West Africa team, with support from Solidaridad, carried out a social survey in some selected neighboring cocoa farming communities in Asankragwa, located in the Western Region of Ghana.

The purpose was to assess whether farmers had planted the distributed 🌳 tree and 🍊🥥🍐🥑🥭fruit seedlings, while also identifying any challenges they may be facing.

The insights gathered will guide us in providing the right support to ensure the success of these initiatives, strengthening climate resilience and helping to reduce the adverse impacts of climate change on various cocoa farms in the communities. 💪🏾🌱

10/10/2025

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒊

Endemic to Ghana, Talbotiella gentii is a critically endangered evergreen tree that grows in the semi-deciduous forests between the savanna and rainforest zones.

Once valued for construction and admired as an ornamental, this rare species now faces severe threats from deforestation, farming, and human settlement.

Let’s act now to protect Ghana’s unique biodiversity before it’s too late!

30/09/2025

30/09/2025

Sustainable Livelihood and Nature Conservation Alliance (SLinCA) SLinCA West Africa recently completed a two-week research mission on the distribution of wild palms in Ghana.

The field team worked across the Eastern and Ashanti Regions, collecting critical field data on Wild palms and farmed palms. This was complemented by structured questionnaires administered to key stakeholders in the oil palm value chain, namely farmers, processors, and consumers, to support ongoing conservation and sustainable management efforts.

We extend our appreciation to our research team, partners, and local stakeholders who made this important work possible. Together, we are advancing our mission of conserving biodiversity while promoting sustainable livelihoods.

19/09/2025

𝐕𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐨-𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞

Researchers at SLinCA West Africa recently completed an ex-post deforestation assessment at Tano-Offin Forest Reserve in the Ashanti region, Ghana. The vegetation assessment aimed at inferring the state of converted forest areas and the condition of the boardering undisturbed forest.

Using five (5) transects, nine(9) 30x30m plots with 10x10m and 5x5m within each plot, O.5x0.5m quadrats, and GPS mapping, the study measured:

✅ Species composition & invasion levels
✅ Stem density, basal area & regeneration
✅ Forest condition scores (FCS)
✅ Presence of invasive Broussonetia papyrifera

This will guide better conservation decisions, forest restoration, and sustainable management for Ghana’s forests.

Special thanks to Stephen Hamani John Akomatey Peter Kwasi Akomatey Acolatse Rockson Eben-Ezer K. Louis

16/09/2025

🐸 Meet the Ivory Coast Wart Frog (Acanthixalus sonjae)
A secretive tree-hole breeder found in Ghana’s Ankasa and Krokosua forests.
Sadly, it is listed as Vulnerable (IUCN) due to logging and loss of old-growth trees.

🌍 Protecting its habitat means preserving unique microhabitats and safeguarding biodiversity. 💚

12/09/2025

Mussaenda erythrophylla commonly known as Ashanti blood or Tropical dogwood is a tropical shrub native to West African and Ghana. It belongs to the family Rubiaceae. It is locally called damenama in Ghana.

It is used as ornamental in gardens/park, traditional medicine and has a significant cultural heritage.

In Akan, it is used to symbolize the color “𝐫𝐞𝐝” through a proverb that says “𝐒ɛ 𝐚𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐚 𝐬𝐞 ɔ𝐩ɛ 𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐤ɔ𝐤𝐨ɔ 𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐮 𝐚, 𝐲ɛ𝐝𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐚 ɛ𝐤𝐲𝐞𝐫ɛ 𝐧𝐨” which translates “𝐈𝐟 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐝, 𝐰𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐢𝐦"