Minister for Lands evaluates Forest Plantation Development Fund to support Ghana’s environmental goals
On Thursday, April 10, 2025, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, met with the Forest Plantation Development Fund (FPDF) Board to evaluate its current operations and discuss ways to align its mandate with the government’s environmental reset agenda.
The meeting formed part of the minister’s broader efforts to engage with agencies under his ministry and strengthen collaboration.
Mr. Kofi Buah commended the FPDF Board Secretariat for its dedication to forest plantation development, recognizing its key role in increasing Ghana’s forest cover and supporting sustainable environmental management.
“The objectives of the Fund Board remain relevant, and the new administration is committed to revisiting its operations to enhance its effectiveness,” the minister stated.
During the meeting, Mr. Jason Nunoo, a technical officer at the secretariat, highlighted several key challenges confronting the fund. These included dwindling financial inflows from its primary sources, weak monitoring of disbursed funds, and structural limitations within the Secretariat. He emphasized that tackling these issues is essential to securing the fund’s long-term sustainability.
“By acting on the recommendations—such as boosting funding and reinforcing monitoring and evaluation systems—the FPDF can significantly increase its effectiveness and support Ghana’s wider environmental and economic objectives,” Mr. Nunoo added.
Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, assured management that the concerns raised would be addressed by the incoming Board.
He outlined plans to clear outstanding debts related to seedlings supplied during past Green Ghana Day campaigns and proposed amendments to Act 623 to formally recognize the Fund as an agency under the Ministry. “It’s important that we revisit the governing Act to broaden the Fund Board’s mandate and enhance its operational efficiency,” he emphasized.
