Development targets to alleviate poverty and boost ecosystems in Ghana

14 Jul 2015

Vision 2050 Forestry is calling for renewed and expanded investment in rural Ghana to help farmers, alleviate poverty, and reforest the landscape that has been embattled by illegal logging and deforestation.

Hans via pixabay.com

Ghana's forest cover almost halved since 2000 with just 4.6 million hectares remaining by 2011 and currently experiencing an annual deforestation rate of 2% (135,000 hectares a year). Only 1.6 million hectares remains in actual forest reserves (The World Bank).

Vision 2050 Forestry's Reforestation and Agro-Forestry Projects are already working in 850 rural communities, helping over 300,000 farmers. They provide saplings along with the expertise to plant, nurture and raise these trees in blocks as afforestation or around agricultural land as agro-forestry projects. Trees that have economic value as biofuel, others that can be harvested for timber in future years and of course trees to be left standing, thereby benefitting the ecosystem.

"Supporting the rural economy and developing additional income streams is of key importance when revitalising livelihoods and bringing sustainable development into rural and agricultural areas of Ghana's delicate landscape" clarifies Frank Kofi Frempong, chairman of Vision 2050 Forestry. "We have projects underway to plant one billion trees over the next five years. Aggressive targets that will have wonderful benefits for rural communities, the Ghanaian landscape and are important for ecosystem services including water cleanliness and availability. These projects are in constant need of funds and donations; we call upon the international community to boost donations and join Vision 2050 Forestry as partners in fighting desertification and deforestation in rural Ghana."