/bfb_animated_logo2card_looped.gif
mognori_hive_roofs.jpg
donate2.jpg
20180215seidu_traing.jp
/training_resources.jpg
bees_chasing_elephant.gif

bees for babar index

guiding principles

donation options

photos and background

publications and resources

videos

mognori_hive_roofs.jpg
holy_mole_label2.jpg
20180215seidu_training
bridge_logo.png
20210221-people_kakum_farmers_0024_by_ellis.jpg
20210221-/beekeeping_equipment_concrete_hive3.jpg
animals_elephant_2.jpg
/bee_field_bees_at_hive_entrance_Kawan_Kura_2.jpg

 

BfB logo
donate now
donation options  
bees for babar index  
guiding principles  
photos and background  
publications and resources  
videos  

Bees for Babar (BfB) beneficiaries recieve regular training.
bee_training_night_shot_clients_protective_equipment
Above, a woman's cooperative prepare to participate in training that included the removal of wild bee colonies that had nested in residences.

Click on text or images below to jump to
corresponding page:

Beeginnings...

mognori_elephant_damage_to_shea
Elephants can damage shea trees , used for the edible fruit and oil it produces, and other crops that villagers depend upon for sustenance and income.
Mohammed Ali Ibrahim, one of BfB's community beekeeping trainers, poses in Mole Park with a pachyderm backdrop.
Ali _ elepahants
hivelumber3
In June of 2008 carpenters in the town of Tamale begin to cut wood to begin construction on KTBH's that will be loaned at cost to Mognori villagers on a rotating credit system.
mognori_leaders2
mognori_elephant_damage_to_shea
   

Check out Mognori at Google Earth at 9.291180°, -1.776150°

 


hivelumber3

mole_national_park_map3
   
mognori_hive_construction_panorama2
By mid-September 2008, with the assistance of OIC Tamale, BfB Ghana director Mohammed Ali Ibrahim had trained Mognori villagers to construct KTBH's in preparation for the upcoming swarm season. In October of 2008 the completed hives were rubbed down with lemon grass and/or beeswax to attract passing swarms. Handles were added to facilitate transporting and hanging the hives.
 
mognori_hive_roofs
Roofs of corrogated zinc keep out the torrential rains of the rainy season and help deflect the pounding sun during hot weather assisting the bees in keeping the hive cool. In tropical Africa, as in most hot climates, it is advantageous to keep hives in an area where they will receive shade during the warmest times of day. That way the bees will not have to spend too much effort bringing in water and fanning to keep the hives cool.
   
Hives were hung in the kinds of trees on which elephants most like to feed or those most valued by farmers such as shea nut trees. To be effective the hives must also placed at the points that elephants are most likely to use as entry-ways onto cropped areas so that the passing of the elephants triggers the bees' defensive behaviour. Care must be taken that the villagers do not stake out their goats or cows near the hives as animals restrained in this manner so as not to damage crops can easily be killed if they disturb the bees since they will not be able to escape.
mognori_hive_hanging
   
mognori_women_with_ktbh
In many cases community members preferred to set hives on stands for ease of handling or because locally available rope rotted easily. Nontheless elephants learn to recognize the shape of beehives and will avoid areas where they are located-- even, it turns out, if the hives have not yet been colonized.
   
women's_cooperative_apiary_panorama
seidu_topbar_hive
In woodlands or areas that are not suitable for farming, such as this floodplain, beekeeping provides a means by which these marginal lands can produce an income without clearing vegetation that provides stablization, habitat and other environmental values.
   
BfB also provided personal protective equipment to beekeepers including hats, veils, overalls, gloves and smokers. Women in the area work long hours to conduct all the chores that are largely mechanized in the developed world-- from growing food on subsistence farm plots to gathering firewood to cook it. Beekeeping provides a low-input undertaking to provide them valuable income.
mognori_women_with_beekeeping_ppe
   
mognori_clients
Mognori farmers pose near the boundary of Mole Park (the sign has been enlarged in the inset). Unfortunately for subsistence farmers elephants do not always stay on their side of the boundary. "Guardian bee hives" help to keep wandering elephants from raiding the crops necessary to feed villagers' families-and will provide nutritious honey and useful beeswax which can be utilized by the producers or sold to buy necessities.
/bfb_animated_logo2card_looped.gif
mognori_hive_roofs.jpg
donate2.jpg
20180215seidu_traing.jp
/training_resources.jpg
bees_chasing_elephant.gif

bees for babar index

guiding principles

donation options

photos and background

publications and resources

videos