In a bold step towards revitalising Ghana’s ailing forest cover and strengthening its commitment to climate resilience, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated a new six-member Forest Plantation Development Fund (FPDF) Board.
The inauguration signals a renewed government resolve to ensure the efficient management of forest resources, foster sustainable plantation development, and create inclusive economic opportunities through strategic public-private partnerships.
Delivering his charge to the newly constituted Board, Hon. Armah Buah described the task ahead as a critical element in transforming Ghana’s forest landscape and combating the threat of deforestation.
“This Board’s work is critical to transforming Ghana’s forest landscape. Through effective fund management, we will create economic opportunities while restoring our environment for future generations”.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
His remarks underscored a dual focus: environmental renewal and economic empowerment through sustainable forestry practices.
The Board, chaired by Lawyer Isaac Essien, is expected to steer the Forest Plantation Development Fund with transparency, strategic insight, and a sense of national duty.
Hon. Armah Buah laid out an ambitious yet essential set of responsibilities for the Board, including ensuring transparent and impactful resource utilisation, mobilizing private capital for plantation growth, and creating incentive packages to attract more private sector investment into forest plantation initiatives.
In addition to these, the Minister emphasised the need to promote sustainable plantation techniques, finance innovative forest projects, and ensure compliance with national forestry development goals.
These mandates are rooted in the government’s broader environmental policy framework and align with Ghana’s commitment to climate action and the green economy.
A major highlight of the Minister’s address was his directive to the Board to expedite financial support for ongoing and upcoming plantation projects.
“Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative
This is to ensure adequate preparedness ahead of the 2025 planting season under the flagship “Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative.”
The Tree for Life initiative, launched under the current administration, seeks to replant millions of trees across degraded forest zones while encouraging civic responsibility and community participation in environmental conservation.
The Minister also stressed the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships in forestry and ensuring that the Fund’s activities translate into real, measurable impacts on Ghana’s forest reserves and climate resilience strategies.
He called for a multi-sectoral approach that brings together government, communities, businesses, and civil society actors to secure a sustainable forestry future.
In his acceptance remarks, the Chairman of the Board, Lawyer Isaac Essien, expressed gratitude for the trust reposed in the team and pledged to execute their mandate with diligence and patriotism.
“We recognize this as national service, not personal gain. With stakeholder cooperation, we’ll deliver credible results for Ghana’s forest reserves”.
Chairman of the Board, Lawyer Isaac Essien
Lawyer Essien also hinted at the Board’s readiness to engage all relevant stakeholders to build consensus and strengthen trust in the Fund’s operations, noting that restoring Ghana’s forests requires inclusive efforts and shared responsibility.
He expressed confidence that with the right financial strategies and institutional backing, the FPDF can play a transformational role in reversing Ghana’s forest loss.
Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Yusif Sulemana, also added his voice to the call for action, assuring the new Board of full ministerial backing.
“Your success means success for our climate resilience and green economy goals,” he remarked, linking the Board’s performance to the larger national and global agenda for environmental protection and sustainable development.
The newly inaugurated members of the Forest Plantation Development Fund Board bring a diverse range of expertise and institutional affiliations, reflecting the multidimensional nature of forest governance.
They include: Lawyer Isaac Essien – Board Chairman, with membership including Mr. Innocent Haligah – Acting Chief Director, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources; and Mr. Zakaria Sakara Ahmed.
Other members of the board include Mr. Wepia A. Awal Adugwala – Representative, Peasant Farmers Association; Mr. Stephen Akwasi Boakye – Representative, Aidoo Tree Growers Association and Prof. Ferdinand Ahiakpor – Representative, Agricultural Development Bank.
Together, this team will serve as the stewards of the Forest Plantation Development Fund, charged with driving reforestation efforts, enhancing forestry-based livelihoods, and contributing to national climate action goals.
With the increasing threat of climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, the effective operation of the FPDF Board could prove decisive in safeguarding Ghana’s natural capital.
It embodies the vision of combining financial innovation with ecological restoration — a model that offers promise not only for environmental rejuvenation but also for sustainable rural development and job creation.
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