Candy Ann Dwamena Darkwa is the lead applicant for Loss and Damage project in Ghana on behalf of Green Growth Africa.
Green Growth Africa is the recipient organization of the $25,000 loss and damage grant to implement the loss and damage project in New Kedzi in Ghana.
Green Growth Africa was awarded a $25,000 grant to implement their proposed loss and damage project. The grant was part of the 2nd cycle of the loss and damage grant awarded by the Loss and Damage Youth Grant Making Cycle through the support of the Open Society Foundations and the Climate Justice Resilience Fund.
Communities in Keta, including Kedzi and Anlo, have faced recurring floods since the 1960s, displacing over 120,000 people into New Kedzi. These floods have destroyed critical infrastructure, including fishing centers, farms, factories, schools, and mangrove ecosystems, while also claiming lives and properties. The depletion of mangroves and rising sea levels, exacerbated by climate change, have intensified flooding, as seen in the devastating 2023 event. Despite resettlement efforts, minimal action has been taken to safeguard the social and economic well-being of the displaced, leaving them in severe poverty.
The Coastal Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood Initiative (CRESLI), led by Green Growth Africa (GGA), addresses the socio-economic and environmental challenges of New Kedzi, a refugee community in Ghana’s Volta Region formed due to flood-induced displacement. This youth and female-led initiative focuses on improving livelihoods and restoring ecosystems in the area. To support the fishing-dependent community, the project introduces energy-efficient fish-smoking ovens, which reduce fuel and labor costs while enhancing economic and environmental sustainability, particularly for women fish processors. Additionally, it provides training for community members in alternative livelihoods such as soap making, composting, and beekeeping, diversifying income sources and strengthening resilience. The initiative also involves restoring two hectares of degraded mangrove ecosystems along the Keta Lagoon to mitigate flooding and promote ecological health. By actively involving local groups and stakeholders from the start, the project fosters community ownership and ensures long-term sustainability.
The first grant cycle launched on the 22nd of September 2022. Over 200 organizations applied and before 2023 11 organizations were support with the sum of $150,000
The Second cycle announce at COP28 in Dubai launched on the 1st of February 2024 and the winners of the “$275,000” grant were announced at the SBs in Bonn
