Forestry Commission records major gains in reforestation, anti-galamsey fight

The Forestry Commission (FC) has outlined significant achievements in forest restoration, job creation, and the fight against illegal mining during its Annual Press Briefing held on December 15, 2025.

Addressing journalists at the Commission’s premises, the Acting Chief Executive, Dr Hugh Clement Brown, highlighted the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and public awareness of ongoing efforts to protect Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources.

A major highlight of the year was the rollout of the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative (T4L), officially launched by President John Dramani Mahama in March 2025 at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region. Under the programme, a total of 65,964 hectares of degraded land benefited from restoration interventions nationwide, including reforestation, enrichment planting, and on-farm tree planting.

In all, 26.1 million tree seedlings were planted through combined public and private sector efforts, with additional seedlings distributed to communities for amenity planting.

The T4L initiative also made a strong impact on employment creation. According to the Commission, more than 41,000 green jobs were created through government-led programmes alone, including the recruitment of 2,500 Youth in Forestry Champions and the engagement of over 38,000 farmers and nursery workers. Private sector partnerships further generated an estimated 17,300 jobs, while community livelihood programmes focused on forest-fringe communities.

On the fight against illegal mining, the Forestry Commission reported intensified enforcement measures. Between January and November 2025, 2,052 arrests were made for forest reserve encroachment, resulting in the seizure of excavators and other equipment. The Commission noted improved collaboration with the military, police, and local authorities in dismantling illegal mining operations within forest reserves.

Despite the gains, the Commission acknowledged persistent challenges, including funding constraints, violent attacks on field officers, and delays in forest land reclamation.

Looking ahead, management outlined plans to review the Forestry Commission Act, strengthen law enforcement, expand community involvement, and explore innovative financing mechanisms such as Payment for Ecosystem Services.

Concluding the briefing, Dr Brown reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to safeguard Ghana’s forest heritage and called on the media and the public to support efforts aimed at achieving a greener and more resilient Ghana.

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