The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission of Ghana, Dr Hugh C. A. Brown, has revealed that more than 350 private companies and individuals are currently involved in commercial forest plantation development within the country’s forest reserves.
Speaking at the 2026 Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative held at West Africa Senior High School on June 5 under the theme “Forests and Economies,” Dr Brown said the increasing participation of the private sector reflects growing confidence in Ghana’s forest restoration and sustainable forestry agenda.
According to him, the commercial plantations are being developed primarily for timber production and carbon credit generation.
“Currently, a total of over 350 private companies and individuals are engaged in commercial forest plantations within forest reserves, mainly for timber production and carbon credits,” he stated.
Dr Brown highlighted the significant contribution of the forestry sector to the national economy, noting that the industry recorded impressive gains in timber production and trade in 2025.
He disclosed that a total of 952,000 cubic metres of timber and timber products were supplied to both domestic and international markets last year, generating an estimated $260 million in revenue.
“In 2025, a total volume of 952,000 cubic metres of timber and timber products were supplied to the domestic and export markets, valued at roughly $260 million,” he said.
The Forestry Commission CEO noted that the sector continues to play a vital role in economic growth, foreign exchange earnings and job creation.
He also pointed to increasing interest in ecotourism, revealing that Ghana’s wildlife parks and forest reserves recorded significant growth in visitor numbers.
“Visitation to ecotourism sites within wildlife parks and forest reserves was estimated at roughly 800,000 visitors, an increase of over 20 per cent over the previous year,” he stated.
Despite these achievements, Dr Brown expressed concern about the continued destruction of forest resources through deforestation and forest degradation, particularly within the country’s high forest zone.
“However, in spite of these socio-economic and ecological benefits that we derive from our forests, deforestation and forest degradation continue, especially in the high forest zone, threatening wildlife habitats and biodiversity, climate resilience, and the health and livelihoods of forest-dependent communities,” he warned.
He stressed that continued forest loss could undermine efforts to protect biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience and sustain communities that depend on forests for their livelihoods.
Dr Brown therefore called on government agencies, the private sector, civil society organisations and local communities to intensify efforts to protect and restore Ghana’s forest resources.
Touching on the achievements of the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, he disclosed that substantial progress had been made in restoring degraded landscapes across the country.
According to him, 23,600 hectares of degraded and deforested lands were restored in 2025 through enrichment planting and forest plantation development programmes.
“In 2025, a total of 23,600 hectares of deforested and degraded landscapes across the country were put under restoration through enrichment planting and forest plantation development,” he said.
Dr Brown noted that the initiative remains a key component of Ghana’s efforts to reverse forest degradation, promote sustainable forest management and create economic opportunities through the responsible use of forest resources.
The Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative forms part of broader national efforts aimed at restoring degraded forest lands, enhancing environmental sustainability and strengthening the country’s response to climate change.
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