Environment Projects

Young trees being planted.

Shea trees are increasingly used as charcoal
and fire wood in central Togo.

People in sub-Saharan Africa depend more on the environment for their economic and social needs more than any other region in the world. However, with fast population growth and lifestyle changes, the environmental resource base of the region is shrinking rapidly. Protection of sub-Saharan Africa’s complex and diverse environment is essential to the quality of life of present and future generation, especially as our climates change due to global warming. We are currently focusing on one major problem, deforestation, through our Reforestation and Shea Tree Protection programs.

Tropical deforestation is frequently listed as one of the most serious environmental threats. West Africa is experiencing rapid forest loss, nearly 40,500 square kilometers of forest each year. Forest loss causes decreasing soil fertility and biodiversity, two important natural resources. Deforestation in sub-Saharan Africa is also one of the main causes of desertification, the southward expansion of the Sahara desert.

Reforestation Project

In order to mitigate current deforestation in our communities, Alaffia began a tree planting project in 2005 through GACE. We purchase young trees and distribute them to small towns and villages. To date, we have distributed trees to more than 150 households in Central Togo. We hope to plant more than 500 trees next year as the people in these communities are very serious and committed to this environmental project.

Shea Tree Conservation

Shea trees have traditionally been protected from cutting because their seeds yield a valuable oil: shea butter. Recently, however, shea trees are being cut down at an alarming rate across West Africa. The loss of shea trees is very damaging to the environment and to the cultures and economies of our communities. In 2006, we began an awareness campaign on the benefits of protecting shea trees and building fuel efficient stoves. In addition, buying shea nuts at fair prices provides long term economic incentive for protecting shea trees in our communities.

To read more about our community-building efforts in Togo, look at the GACE website.