"When trees speak, the community listens." Guided by this wisdom, stakeholders gathered at the palace hall of His Majesty King Kwefi II of Binka to engage in a strategic dialogue on the future of sacred forests across the Nkambe Plateau. The Open Dialogue, convened by the Youth Development Organization (Yodo) and GLFx Nkambe, forms part of the sustainability strategy of the Smart Sacred Forest Restoration Project—an initiative supported by the Mellon Foundation and the Heritage Management Organization under the HerMapAfrica Grants Program.
In his welcome address, King Kwefi II expressed deep appreciation to participants for their commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage and promoting environmental sustainability. He extended heartfelt thanks to the project’s funders for empowering communities to shape the destiny of their sacred forests. “The rate at which these forests are vanishing is alarming,” he warned. “If we fail to act decisively against encroachment, future generations will hold us accountable.”
Fai Cassian Ndi, Coordinator of Yodo/GLFx Nkambe, emphasized the sacred forest’s vital role in community survival. Though often small in size, these forests serve as sources of food, spiritual refuge, economic resilience for the poor, and natural carbon sinks.
Cham Gilbert, Divisional Delegate of Agriculture for Donga Mantung, further illustrated the sacred forest’s multifaceted value—as biodiversity hotspots, water sources, and spaces of spiritual reawakening deeply intertwined with community identity.
The gathering drew a rich tapestry of voices, including HRM Fon Mbunwe Barnabas of Njap, HRH Fon Nji Amidou of Nkambe, HRH Fon Chifu Stanley Time, queen mothers, sub-chiefs and village priests, the 3rd Deputy Mayor of Nkambe Council, educators, youth and women leaders, and representatives of the Mbororo/Fulani community.
Following the dialogue, stakeholders committed to bold measures to curb destructive activities in and around sacred forests. Proposed actions include:
- A ban on the burning of Ankara, a major cause of bushfires
- Restrictions on farming and grazing within sacred zones
- Reinforcement of traditional injunctions
- Tree planting and stewardship of previously donated seedlings from Yodo
Notably, on August 22, 2025, Yodo mobilized the Binka community to plant 5,700 native trees in the Dfu-dfu Sacred Forest—an act of restoration and reverence that echoes the spirit of the dialogue.
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