Lands Minister engages Forest Plantation Development Fund Board to align with government's environmental reset agenda

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to boosting environmental sustainability by engaging key stakeholders in the forestry sector, including the Forest Plantation Development Fund (FPDF) Board.

As part of his ongoing working visits to familiarize himself with agencies under the Ministry, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah met with the management and staff of the Fund Board on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

The engagement focused on assessing the Fund’s operational activities and exploring strategies to strengthen its mandate in alignment with the government’s environmental reset agenda.

Commending the Secretariat for its contributions to forest plantation development, the Minister emphasized the need to integrate the Fund’s operations more closely with national reforestation and environmental goals.

“I believe the objectives of the Fund Board are relevant, and the new administration will revisit its affairs to make it more effective,” he stated.

Mr. Jason Nunoo, a Technical Officer with the Secretariat, presented a comprehensive briefing on the Board’s activities, highlighting key challenges and proposed solutions.

Among the issues he flagged were dwindling inflows from primary funding sources, weak monitoring systems for disbursed funds, and the need for better organizational structuring.

“These challenges require urgent attention from the Ministry,” Mr. Nunoo said.

“By implementing recommendations such as increased funding and enhanced monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, the FPDF can make a stronger impact and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s environmental and economic development.”

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Deputy Minister Hon. Yusif Sulemana assured that the Ministry is aware of the challenges facing the Fund.

He pledged that the new Board, once constituted, would address concerns such as outstanding debts for seedlings supplied for past Green Ghana Day initiatives.

He further noted that steps would be taken to amend the governing Act 623 to expand the Board’s mandate and formally establish it as an agency under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

Background on FPDF

The Forest Plantation Development Fund was established under Act 583 of 2000 and later amended by Act 623 in 2002. It serves as a key financial and technical support mechanism for private forest plantation projects on lands suitable for commercial timber production.

The Fund also supports research and provides advisory services to individuals and entities involved in commercial plantation forestry.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith