By Desmond Cudjoe and Frederica Mensah
Calls for Ghana to restore its degraded land are growing louder as illegal mining, deforestation, and climate change make sustainable land use an urgent national priority.
Without immediate intervention, the menace threatens food security, water supply, and rural livelihoods. In response, the European Union has funded a grant scheme being implemented by the European Forest Institute under the EU Sustainable Forest and Cocoa Programme to support non-profit and local organisations in implementing restoration projects across Ghana’s High Forest and Savanna ecological zones.
The project, running from late 2025 through 2027, targets the restoration of 14,000 hectares of forest and aims to build the capacity of 20,000 farmers and rural people, with a strong focus on empowering women and youth.
EU Commits €6 Million to Forest Restoration
Speaking at the Forest Restoration Grant Scheme Progress event at the Subri Forest Reserve in Daboase, Wassa East District, Western Region, Silvia Severi, Head of Cooperation at the European Union in Ghana, stated that the EU support is part of the broader EU Sustainable Forest and Cocoa Programme.
“This is a €6 million initiative which seeks to promote deforestation-free cocoa production, sustainable land use, and climate resilience,” Severi explained.
She added: “The European Union is proud to support Ghana in this effort, not only as a partner but as a strong advocate of community-led restoration to transform landscapes and livelihoods.”
“Beyond Restoring Degraded Lands”
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson said these projects go beyond restoring degraded lands—they are helping communities create sustainable livelihoods and build local capacity to ensure restoration has long-term impact.
A representative from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Macdona Yunus, warned that trees must be nurtured after planting to ensure survival and achieve the goals of the restoration programme. He said the Ministry will integrate community tree planting into Ghana’s national restoration drive to boost survival rates and local ownership.
Climate Change Threatens Forest Cover
Nana Opoku Bosompem, Western Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, noted that climate change is causing erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and forest fires—degrading Ghana’s forest cover and threatening biodiversity.
To tackle this, Bosompem called for increased tree planting, emphasising it is key to cooling the earth and mitigating climate change impacts.
Community Voices
Locals displayed placards with powerful inscriptions including:
· “Stop degradation, start plantation”
· “Every species matters”
· “Plant trees to bring back biodiversity”
· “Future forests start now”
· “Growing trees, preserving nature”
· “Trees protect rivers, plant trees”
