About Us

The Nkyene Turtle Project began with a simple idea: that grassroots conservation, led with heart and honesty, could make a real difference for sea turtles and coastal communities in Ghana.

We’re Anna, Nat, and Yankey — three people brought together by a love for turtles, and a shared belief that protecting wildlife works best when everyone is part of the story.

Anna and Nat first met on Sal Island, Cabo Verde, working long nights on turtle patrols. They spent the season protecting nesting females, relocating at-risk nests, leading volunteer teams and dreaming of building something of their own one day.

Months later, Anna travelled to Ghana and met Yankey, who was already on a one-man mission to protect turtles along the coast. With no outside support, he had been patrolling beaches, rescuing hatchlings and saving turtles from poachers simply because he believed someone had to. His knowledge of the area, close ties to the local community, and deep passion for wildlife brought the vision to life. Together, we began to shape what this project could become.

Our name, Nkyene, means “salt” in Twi, and it holds special meaning for us. It’s a nod to Sal Island, where Anna and Nat first met as Sal also means “salt” in Portuguese. The word connects our beginnings with the coastlines we now work on. In Ghana, many people refer to sea turtles as “salt tortoises,” so when it came time to name the project, Nkyene felt like the perfect fit.

It ties together the people, the places, and the purpose that brought this project to life. It honours local language and culture while celebrating our shared love for the ocean.

This is our first season. We’re starting small, staying curious, and learning as we go. Our aim is to protect turtles through hands-on conservation, community outreach, education, and by collecting vital data in a part of the world where turtle research is still limited.

We’re here to listen, to learn, and to build something that lasts. And we’d love for you to be part of it.