Anaba Mbule and his family from Winkogo, Ghana, lost their home, land and crops in  floods several years ago.  We'd provided Anaba with emergency aid. Then with the tools and expertise we brought to the community, Anaba was able to rebuild his home and safeguard his crops. 

When we caught up with Anaba recently he was full of thanks.

“No amount of words will be adequate to express our gratitude to ActionAid for all the support we received and which has made us to smile again. Thank you," he says.

He explained he had begun to harvest the early millet crop. "This will feed my family till September, when the sorghum crop can be harvested." 

Key to the success of his crops is the support he's received from ActionAid. The region is vulnerable to recurring floods, and we are helping him adapt to the consequences of climate change. He's now aware of the risks of farming land at the bottom of a valley. He has moved his crops somewhere less vulnerable, and is beginning to resettle with his family.

We also provided him with two goats. These provide milk, and also act as ‘walking fertiliser’.

"I keep the animals in an improved pen constructed with support from ActionAid and I have been able to collect and compost the droppings," says Anaba. "I spread the compost on my field before planting out my crops, and this has resulted in a good yield from the early millet."

ActionAid also encouraged Anaba to register for government-provided national health insurance.

"The National Health Insurance cover has made it possible for my family to access medical treatment with ease whenever it is required," says Anaba. "Usually with the onset of the rains we experienced frequent malaria attacks, and due to the high cost of treatment we were not able to effectively cure ourselves. The health insurance has enabled my family to enjoy better health since we are able to access the correct treatment."