Farmers in the Ghanaian municipality Sefwi Wiawso are facing unpredictable rainfall and degraded soil, with few tools to adapt. Diaspora expert Dr Martin Kofi Mensah spent three months in Sefwi Wiawso helping farmers, students and staff of the Department of Agriculture to build the knowledge and confidence needed to farm in a changing climate. 

In Sefwi Wiawso, most families depend on agriculture, growing crops such as plantain, cassava and cocoa. However, their work is becoming increasingly complex and less foreseeable: unpredictable weather conditions make it harder to determine the right time for sowing. In addition, the quality of their farmland is steadily declining, as expanding mining in the region and deforestation are causing ongoing soil degradation. At the same time, shrinking budgets and administrative hurdles have limited the Department of Agriculture’s ability to provide farmers with the support they need. Unpredictable rainfall also makes it difficult for both agricultural staff and farmers to determine the best times for planting. This is where Dr Mensah stepped in. 

Working directly with farmers, outreach staff, and students, Dr Mensah helped build the knowledge and capacity needed to advance climate-smart agriculture in the region.  He trained agricultural staff to read rainfall charts and crop calendars, interpret climate data, and guide farmers on optimal planting windows. Together with the Department of Agriculture, he brought this knowledge directly to farming communities, teaching techniques, e.g., mulching, contour planting, and using drought resistant crop varieties to protect the soil and conserve water. He also worked with students from St Joseph Senior High School, where he supported the creation of a one-acre orchard that now serves as a hands-on learning site for agroforestry.

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