Bees for Development Ghana is establishing five new Buzz Clubs across the Kwahu Afram Plains, furthering its mission to promote sustainable beekeeping and environmental stewardship among young people.

These newly established clubs, which will directly benefit about 100 children in five schools, taking the number of Buzz Clubs established in Ghana to fifteen clubs.

The Buzz Club offers the opportunity for basic school children in Ghana to learn about bees and other pollinators, the role of bees in food production, and biodiversity conservation. The children also learn the art of beekeeping to produce honey and other hive products as well as develop their entrepreneurial skills at this young stage.

Last week, thirteen schoolteachers took part in five days of intensive training to teach these clubs. They were equipped with the skills necessary to teach sustainable beekeeping with hands on sessions on local-style hive making, lighting of smokers and apiary establishment and management. In a miraculous turn of events whilst the training was going on, a swarm turned up and so the teachers had experience of catching and hiving a swarm!

They also discussed broader environmental and biodiversity conservation, emphasising the role of sustainable practices in protecting and preserving natural resources around them. In addition to this, the teachers went through sessions about adding value to honey and beeswax by making products including mosquito repellents, lip balms, candles, cough mixture and fruit juice.

By involving young learners in these activities, Bees for Development Ghana aims to cultivate a new generation of environmentally conscious individuals who can contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and management of their environment in the future.

Ms Olivia Kafui, Teacher at Atakora Basic School said:

“This training has opened my eyes to the critical role bees play in our ecosystem. I’m excited to share this knowledge with my pupils and to see them become passionate about beekeeping and environmental conservation. The skills we’ve gained here will help us guide the next generation toward more sustainable practices.

I’m particularly excited about the value addition especially the preparation of cough mixture and candles. I’m happy we have a simple and easy to make remedy for cough which common among my pupils. Kids learning how to make candle to help them make their own candle at home, so they use it as source of light to do their homework – most communities around Afram Plains have no electricity.”

About 400 school children have directly benefited from the Buzz Club project. Sixty children have already graduated from the clubs. The teachers of the original clubs are applying their skills and knowledge to earn additional income from beekeeping aside their salaries – new teachers are expected to do same.

The initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on the communities in the Kwahu Afram Plains, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and sustainability from a young age.

Please support our team in setting up the new clubs by making a donation to our current campaign, “Buzzing back to school”.