Forestry Commission aims for 25,000ha of Forest Plantations
In a significant stride towards ecological sustainability, the Forestry Commission has set a robust target of establishing 25,000 hectares of forest plantations.
This ambitious initiative is designed not only to fortify the implementation of an extensive afforestation/reforestation program (RAP) but also to meet national landscape restoration goals outlined in the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy (GFPS).
Detailed in a report by the joint committee on Lands and Forestry and Mines and Energy, part of the program-based budget estimates for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for the 2024 financial year, this forward-looking plan seeks to counteract the loss of 130,000 hectares of humid primary forest in Ghana from 2002 to 2022—constituting 8.7% of the nation’s total tree cover loss in the same period.
Acknowledging the alarming decline, the Forestry Commission aims to spearhead an aggressive afforestation and reforestation program, aimed at restoring the diminishing forest cover of the country. This initiative aligns with the broader efforts to address environmental concerns, as reflected in the data from globalforestwatch.org.
Furthermore, building on past endeavors, such as the Form Ghana Reforestation Project initiated in 2016, the government is actively pursuing innovative opportunities for climate change mitigation and green growth.
The project, a collaboration with Form Ghana Ltd and the Forestry Commission, established a 11,700-hectare sustainable commercial forest plantation, blending indigenous tree species with teak.
This groundbreaking effort, the first FSC-certified Plantation Company in Ghana and West Africa, not only produces vital resources for local and export markets but also generates Carbon Credits in accordance with VCS standards.
As the Forestry Commission remains committed to the sustainable management and utilization of Ghana’s lands, forests, wildlife, and mineral resources, the envisioned 25,000 hectares of new forest plantations stand as a testament to the nation’s dedication to environmental stewardship and socio-economic development.
In tandem with the ongoing National Afforestation Programme and efforts in plantation development and landscape restoration, this initiative reinforces the Ministry’s commitment to fostering a harmonious relationship between nature and progress
