Ghana's tree planting project supported by FRA

The Ghanaian Forestry Commission’s announcement that it will establish 10,000 hectares of forest plantations has attracted praise from Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

FRA supports sustainable forestry and the proliferation of managed forestry through investment in the industry, particularly in emerging economies that are densely forested. The Forestry Commission’s CEO, Samuel Afari Dartey, made the announcement of the plan to encourage landowners to release land to facilitate the plantation projects.

Speaking on Greening Ghana Day, Mr Dartey said that the initiative is intended to help increase the amount of vegetation in the country that has been lost in recent years. The Greening Ghana event was launched by the ministry of Lands and Natural resources. The theme of the event was, ‘Greening Ghana for present and future generations’.

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins explained, “News that countries like Ghana are becoming increasingly aware of the gains to be made from increasing forested land is a step in the right direction.”

An increasing number of developing countries with vulnerable eco-systems are coming round to the idea that trees can be worth more, both financially and ecologically, if they remain standing, claimed FRA.

Some local groups, such as education institutions, district assemblies and religious bodies, are being encouraged to join in with the tree planting process.

FRA supports projects that try to attract foreign investment into establishing plantations in emerging economies, such as Brazil. Firms like Greenwood Management are helping to establish non-native tree plantations, which offer alternatives to using endangered native species for timber and charcoal. They enable people to buy their own section of forested land, in order to sell the sustainably produced timber at a profit later on.

“These types of projects are vital to the future of the forestry industry in these developing countries, but also to the world as a whole, which benefits hugely from the expansion of forests, which absorb CO2,” added Mr Collins.

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Tel: (206) 316 8394