At Soko Bags, we’re all about protecting the planet in small, meaningful ways. So when we see big steps being taken to care for the environment, especially right here in Africa, it gives us hope. Recently, Ghana hosted a regional workshop that brought together environmental leaders from across West Africa. And honestly? It’s a big deal.

The workshop, held in Accra on April 10th and 11th, wasn’t just a bunch of officials in suits giving speeches. It was real, practical, and packed with purpose. Leaders from 14 countries, places like Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo, came together to figure out how to make environmental projects stronger, smarter, and more impactful. They didn’t just talk strategy, they visited actual project sites, learned from each other’s wins (and mistakes), and made plans to bring that knowledge back home.

Why It Matters

This kind of gathering matters because real change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when people come together, share what works, and lift each other up. That’s exactly what the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Tropical Biology Association had in mind when they organized this event.

GEF has already invested over $6 billion in Africa since 1991, supporting efforts around biodiversity, land restoration, climate change, and more. But money can only do so much. The people leading these projects, called Operational Focal Points, need the right training, support, and tools to make it count. That’s what this workshop was all about.

Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, who heads up GEF, put it simply: when we invest in people, we unlock real impact. And we couldn’t agree more.

On-the-Ground Learning

One of the best parts? The attendees didn’t stay stuck in a hotel ballroom the whole time. They actually went out into the field to visit GEF-funded projects in Ghana. They saw what’s working, where the challenges are, and how communities are being impacted by these initiatives.

That kind of hands-on learning can’t be replaced. It helps build empathy, confidence, and a deeper understanding of what sustainable change really looks like. And honestly, it’s refreshing to see leaders getting their boots dirty, literally and figuratively.

Ghana’s Leadership Shines

We’re proud to see Ghana taking the lead on this. Hosting this event is a sign that the country is serious about sustainability, and about being part of the global conversation. Ghana’s representative, Peter Justice Derry, said it best: to truly move the needle on sustainability, we need governments, businesses, civil society, and everyday people all working together. That includes all of us.

What This Means for Soko Bags

At the end of the day, we make reusable bags. Simple, right? But we know that small actions add up, especially when they’re backed by bigger systems and policies that support a more sustainable future.

We believe that change starts with education, collaboration, and action. That’s why it’s so inspiring to see this kind of event happening in our region. It reminds us that we’re part of something bigger, that every choice, every conversation, every eco-conscious step counts.

So here’s to Ghana, to all the countries working together, and to everyone doing their part, whether it’s launching major projects or simply choosing to skip the plastic bag.

We see you. We support you. And we’re proud to walk this journey with you.