The European Union (EU) has announced a €2.4 million forest recovery project designed to rehabilitate 5,000 hectares of damaged forest land and improve the livelihoods of 20,000 farmers and rural residents across Ghana.
The initiative was officially introduced at the Forest Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) in Fumesua, within the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
Ghana’s forests are vital for biodiversity protection, climate adaptation, food and water security, and serve as an economic lifeline for many rural populations.
Yet, years of illegal mining, unsustainable farming, logging, and recurring wildfires have drastically reduced the country’s forest cover.
To address this, the EU is granting €2.4 million (GH₵31 million) to four Ghanaian non-governmental organizations to lead restoration activities.
The selected NGOs include Goshen Global Vision, responsible for community-based landscape restoration; the Nature & Development Foundation, which will spearhead agroforestry projects; Proforest Initiative Africa, focusing on degraded land recovery in Asunafo; and World Vision Ghana.
The programme requires these organizations to prioritize women and youth while fostering sustainable livelihoods and resilient communities.
Implementation will span the Ahafo, Bono East, Upper East, and Western Regions.
Ms. Paulina Rozycka, Head of Infrastructure & Sustainable Development at the EU Delegation to Ghana, explained that the project is part of the EU’s Sustainable Forest and Cocoa Programme, which promotes climate-smart farming and resilient landscapes.
She stressed that forest destruction threatens both ecosystems and economies, noting that the initiative complements the government’s “Tree for Life” campaign to restore forest cover.
Rozycka also highlighted Ghana’s progress in forest governance, citing the start of FLEGT licensing for timber exports to the EU. “This license attests to Ghana’s commitment to forest law enforcement and better governance within the sustainable development agenda,” she said.
Deputy Director of FORIG, Dr. Lucy Amissah, pointed to illegal mining and farming as key drivers of forest loss and expressed confidence that the new project would encourage responsible land use.
“Today marks another milestone in Ghana’s efforts to restore degraded forests and landscapes,” she remarked, praising stakeholders for their dedication to environmental protection and the empowerment of women and youth.
Mrs. Valerie Fumey Nassah, representing the Forestry Commission, reaffirmed the Commission’s backing, noting that the initiative aligns with its mission to manage Ghana’s forests for the benefit of all citizens.
To mark the launch, dignitaries planted trees on the FORIG grounds.
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