Canadian Hydro is supporting the local conservation efforts of the people living within the 40 km long Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary in Ghana, West Africa. The people in the sanctuary have moved their farms and fishing camps two kilometers back from the river, to relieve pressures on one of two hippo populations remaining in Ghana and to generate ecotourism opportunities.

To promote development and education, Canadian Hydro is raising funds for 550 safe, solar powered lighting units for each compound, school and health centre. The Light Up the World Foundation builds the lights which will distributed with the help of the Calgary Zoo Conservation Fund. These lighting units will replace kerosene fueled lamps, which are dirty, dangerous and expensive to operate.

Thanks to the generousity of over 160 donors from Canadian Hydro's network of supporters, suppliers and stakeholders, in December 2005, the Wechiau Lighting Initiative achieved its target funding of $126,500.  The successful implementation of this initiative is due to the coordination and team work of the many organizations that have collaborated with Canadian Hydro on this project, including Light Up the World, the Calgary Zoo, the Nature Conservation Research Centre and the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary. With the funding in-hand, we can ensure that conservation and development proceed together at the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary.

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