Forest Plantation Fund Needs Boost-Lands Minister


As part of his familiarization visits to agencies under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the sector Minister, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has engaged the Forest Plantation Development Fund (FPDF) Board to assess their operations and explore ways to strengthen their mandate in line with the government’s reset agenda.

During a meeting with the Board and staff on Thursday, April 10, 2025, Hon. Buah commended the Secretariat for its efforts in promoting forest plantation development. He emphasized the need to align its operations with the government’s broader environmental goals to improve the country’s forest cover. “The objectives of the Fund Board remain relevant, and the new administration will revisit its operations to make it more effective,” he stated.

Mr. Jason Nunoo, a Technical Officer at the Secretariat, briefed the delegation on the Board’s activities, challenges, and recommendations. He cited key issues such as declining inflows from primary funding sources, inadequate monitoring of disbursed funds, and structural weaknesses within the Secretariat. He called for swift intervention from the Ministry to ensure sustainability. “By implementing these recommendations—including increased funding and strengthened monitoring mechanisms—the Fund can boost its impact and better support Ghana’s environmental and economic objectives,” Mr. Nunoo said.

In a media interview, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Yusif Sulemana, assured that concerns such as outstanding debts from seedling procurement for previous Green Ghana Day activities would be addressed once a new Board is constituted. He also underscored the need to amend Act 623 to review the Fund’s mandate and establish it formally as an agency under the Ministry.

Background on the FPDF
The Forest Plantation Development Fund was established under Act 583 of 2000 and amended by Act 623 in 2002. It provides financial support for private forest plantation development on lands suitable for commercial timber production and also offers research and technical advice to stakeholders in commercial forestry.












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