THE ROLE OF CHURCHES IN THE SUSTAINABILITY OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the extent to which churches are involved in the sustainability of the livestock industry in the Northern Region. The study was carried out between the periods of January to July, 2004, with Tamale as the study area. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to church leaders and project coordinators of the ogranizations set up by the churches to be in charge of social work. Three out of the eighteen churches interviewed supported the livestock industry in diverse ways. These churches were Assemblies of God, Roman Catholic and the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. The areas supported by these churches were training of farmers in good husbandry practices, assisting farmers with medication, provision of breeding stock, assisting farmers with feed supplement during the dry season and training offarmers in the area of bullock traction. The species of animals supported by these churches were sheep, goat, swine, cattle and poultry. The involvement of the churches in the livestock sector has led to the restoration of a relative peace among the Konkombas and Nanumbas in the Northern Region. Bullock traction has now become a substitute for tractor since most of the beneficiary communities are comfortable with it.