In northern Ghana's Yiwagu community, farming has long been the backbone of local livelihoods. But in recent years, harvests — especially of shea nuts — have dwindled. Locals blame the decline on erratic rainfall and rising temperatures, symptoms of a changing climate.

In response, the ethnic minority community has turned to traditional conservation practices. Local leaders have banned tree felling and other harmful activities in nearby forests.

"This sacred forest serves as a windbreak to our community. It helps facilitate rainfall, and it also serves as a source of our medicinal needs," said Yakubu Iddrisu, an assembly member for Yiwagu.

The benefits are already visible, he said. Improved weather conditions are returning, and the forest is once again a source of healing. "So, when we want our medicine, the herbs that we need are here," Iddrisu told DW.

Protecting forests

In Bachabodo, another village community in northern Ghana, locals — especially women — once relied on charcoal production for income, cutting down trees in the process. But that's changing.

With support from the Global Leadership Foundation, the UN's Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) program, and the African Forest Forum, women are now turning to beekeeping as a sustainable alternative.

"We were cutting down trees for [firewood] and then cutting down trees to make charcoal. Now, through the honey, we get money to take care of ourselves," said Grace Mawaldujin, a beekeeper in Bachabodo, who added that the shift has transformed their lives.

"Now we are happy about the honey production because we get money from there. We no [longer] cut down the trees for charcoal burning. Now our forest and our beekeeping is making us happy in our community." 

Climate-smart farming methods

Further south, farmers are adopting climate-smart agricultural practices that reduce pressure on forests and promote tree planting. In cocoa-growing regions such as Atiwa in eastern Ghana, trees are being planted to provide shade for cocoa crops — boosting yields and improving livelihoods.

"Previously we used to harvest a few bags from our cocoa but now, during the adoption of climate-smart [agriculture], we are getting more, and it is really helping the farmers. So, I will say it has helped to alleviate poverty in my landscape," said Collins Akonnor, a local cocoa farmer.

These efforts are supported by the UN's REDD+ initiative, which aims to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The program is helping communities curb overfarming and protect forest ecosystems.

"The goal is to stop the expansion of the cocoa farms into the forest lands and also plant trees within cocoa farms to improve yield," said Ivy Ashiley of Ghana's national REDD+ secretariat.

"Now this goes a long way to decrease deforestation and forest degradation. So, the impact has been great. Most of the farmers are now farming within their lands and even planting more trees which is equally improving yields."

Although Africa is one of the lowest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, it remains one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change. Experts say Ghana's community-led initiatives offer a blueprint for the continent.

"I am very impressed actually by what I have witnessed in the communities," said Amos Amanubo, Africa Regional Coordinator for the Global Landscapes Forum, an organization that advocates addressing landscape-level issues.

"You know, when we talk from a global perspective it is usually very hard to make sense of the synergies across the three Rio conventions — the convention on climate, biodiversity and land degradation neutrality." 

Africa's push for climate justice

At COP30 Brazil, which is taking place from November 10 to 21, African negotiators are expected to advocate for a climate agenda rooted in justice, equity, and resilience.

According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the continent will push for scaled-up climate finance, operationalization of the climate finance mechanism the  Loss and Damage Fund, a just energy transition, and fair access to carbon markets.

Africa will also showcase its vast renewable energy potential, carbon sink capacity, and youth-driven innovation — while demanding meaningful reforms in global climate finance and governance.

But beyond the global stage, experts say the real climate warriors are in communities like Yiwagu, Bachabodo, and Atiwa — where indigenous knowledge and local action are making the fight against climate change more practical, inclusive and effective.

Edited by: Keith Walker