The Forestry Commission (FC) has received a delegation from Terraformation Inc. to establish a robust national partnership that will guide the collaborative execution of the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy.
The visit sought to unite international expertise with the management of the Forestry Commission with the aim to accelerate environmental restoration and secure sustainable forestry practices across the country.
Terraformation Inc. is a prominent United States organisation dedicated to supporting native, biodiverse forest restoration projects and provides open-source management tools and training for forestry and conservation organisations.
Dr. Hugh Brown, the Chief Executive of Forestry Commission, warmly welcomed the delegates and expressed the Commission’s strong willingness to partner with Terraformation Inc. He emphasised the importance of building a country-led platform to effectively coordinate and drive the 2040 Strategy forward
To set a strong foundation for this collaboration, key experts delivered detailed presentations covering vital aspects of the partnership. Damien Kuhn, Vice President of Forestry Partnerships & Development, Terraformation presented for Terraformation Inc, while Dr. John Appah, Manager of Projects, Plantations Department of the Forest Services Division (FSD); Mr. Kwame Agyei, Manager of Plantation Investments and Extension, Plantations Department (FSD) and Dr. Benjamin Torgbor, Manager of Operations, Plantations Department (FSD) presented on behalf of the Forestry Commission. Their presentations offered deep insights into the Commission’s current capacity, the operational framework for the national platform, the general roadmap for joint engagement, focused areas and the composite Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
After the presentations, participants engaged in vibrant interactive sessions, exchanging practical knowledge and addressing crucial operational questions regarding governance, core priorities, monitoring, reporting, mapping and future funding mechanisms.
On the second day, the meeting began with a recap of the previous days discussions. This included key areas such as seed supply, governance, financing, community practices and strengthening the national monitoring system. Participants also examined the financial needs of the Forestry Commission and agreed on immediate next steps, including the development of a full budget.
Mr. James Alan Daley Founder & CEO of Terraformation Inc. expressed sincere gratitude to the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission and his entire team for hosting the delegation. He commended the Commission for an open dialogue, which allowed both organisations to freely share technical knowledge and strategic expertise. Furthermore, Mr. Daley highlighted the value of the detailed discussions held throughout the visit, noting that the thorough review of the project’s roadmap, governance structure, and financial requirements provided the clarity needed to build a strong and lasting partnership. He concluded by affirming Terraformation’s commitment to collaborating closely with the Forestry Commission to successfully realise Ghana’s long-term reforestation goals.
The visit marked an important first step toward a strong alliance between the Forestry Commission and Terraformation Inc. By combining local management with global expertise, the partnership aims to secure the successful implementation of the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy, ensuring a greener and more sustainable future for Ghana
