Ghana's forest landscapes are increasingly recognized as vital components of the national economy and employment sector. These areas face challenges from agricultural expansion, illegal mining, logging, and unsustainable land use. However, a green revival is emerging, driven by entrepreneurs like Kwame Bonsu and Joann Ofori.
Kwame Bonsu founded Sakam Savana with the goal of restoring the Afram Headwaters Forest Reserve while benefiting local communities. "Of course, I want to get the forest back. But it’s also about improving the quality of life for rural communities—the people who depend the most on the forest," he states.
In 2021, Kwame secured a loan through Ghana’s Forest Investment Program (FIP), funded by Climate Investments Funds and implemented by the World Bank. This allowed him to expand his business, employing over 180 people and enhancing food security in nearby communities. He introduced sustainable agroforestry practices by planting more than 20,000 fruit trees alongside teak trees.
Joann Ofori of Lordamn Farms Ltd. used a similar loan to double her teak plantation's size from 70 to 140 hectares. This expansion provided economic opportunities for local families and fostered environmental stewardship. She diversified crops with eggplant, maize, and okra for short-term gains while waiting for teak trees to mature.
"You can breathe better and everywhere you look it’s lush and green," Joann notes about her plantation's impact.
The FIP ran from 2015 to 2023, reducing deforestation through policy strengthening and community-based management initiatives that empowered local communities. The program's loan scheme increased financial access for small- and medium-scale plantations like those run by Kwame and Joann.
Additionally, financial support was extended to cocoa farmers across Ghana, improving management over more than 80,000 hectares of land including nearly 44,000 hectares under sustainable cocoa practices.
More than 2.5 million Ghanaians rely on forests for their livelihoods. The achievements under FIP highlight how entrepreneurial spirit can drive success in forest economies when combined with supportive policies.
Building on these successes, the World Bank is advancing its Global Challenge Program: Forests for Development, Climate, and Biodiversity to help countries like Ghana deepen investment in forests using lessons learned from previous initiatives.
With ongoing support from national and international partners, Ghana aims to ensure its forests continue providing economic benefits while addressing poverty sustainably.