Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah with the newly elected board members
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated a six-member Forest Plantation Development Fund (FPDF) Board, tasking it with revitalising Ghana’s reforestation efforts through strategic fund management.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Buah emphasised the significance of the Board’s mandate, “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.”
He outlined the Board’s key responsibilities as follows:
• Fund Stewardship – Ensure transparent and impactful use of financial resources
• Investment Mobilisation – Attract private capital for plantation development
• Sector Incentivisation – Develop appealing packages to encourage private sector involvement
• Best Practice Promotion – Advance sustainable and modern plantation techniques
• Project Financing – Support innovative and high-impact forest initiatives
• Compliance Oversight – Monitor alignment with national forestry and climate objectives
The Minister further directed the Board to fast-track financial support for plantation projects, strengthen public-private partnerships in the forestry sector, and fully implement the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative ahead of the 2025 planting season.
In response, Board Chairman Lawyer Isaac Essien pledged the Board’s full commitment, stating, “We recognise this as national service, not personal gain. With stakeholder cooperation, we will deliver credible results for Ghana’s forest reserves.”
Deputy Minister Yusif Sulemana also pledged the Ministry’s full support saying, “Your success means success for our climate resilience and green economy goals.”
Members of the Forest Plantation Development Fund Board include:
• Lawyer Isaac Essien – Board Chairman
• Innocent Haligah – Acting Chief Director, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
• Zakaria Sakara Ahmed – Member
• Wepia A. Awal Adugwala – Representative, Peasant Farmers Association
• Stephen Akwasi Boakye – Representative, Aidoo Tree Growers Association
• Prof. Ferdinand Ahiakpor – Representative, Agricultural Development Bank
This inauguration marks a pivotal step in Ghana’s climate action plan, combining financial innovation with ecological restoration to combat deforestation and foster a sustainable green economy.