The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Lands and Forestry, Benito Owusu-Bio, presented cheques for payment to beneficiaries of the first tranche of Carbon payments for verified reductions from the Carbon Fund of the World Bank.
Ghana, in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and other stakeholders, has actively participated in the International Mechanism known as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+).
This initiative is part of the global efforts to combat Climate Change by mitigating and adapting to its impact.
During the gathering held on Thursday, 20th July 2023, the Deputy Minister spoke on behalf of the Sector Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor. He highlighted that Ghana is now the second African country after Mozambique to receive REDD+ results-based payments from the Carbon Fund of the World Bank.
The initiative in focus, known as the Ghana Cocoa Forest Redd+ program (GCFRP), aims to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation caused primarily by expansionist Cocoa production activities, illegal mining, illegal logging, and wood fuel extraction. By implementing these measures at a jurisdictional scale, the program aims to achieve around 10 million tonnes of emission reductions within six years.
Ghana's forest resources have been under immense pressure due to factors such as agricultural expansion, unsustainable logging, excessive wood harvesting for charcoal production and firewood, illegal mining, wildfires, and poaching.
The Deputy Minister expressed hope that various stakeholders would help raise awareness to promote forest preservation for other ecosystem functions, while also supporting the Government in its efforts to combat illegal activities.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, praised the Ministry's efforts, led by the Forestry Commission, in implementing the Cocoa Forest Redd+ program. He emphasized that climate change is a significant threat to humanity worldwide, stressing the importance of collective action and adopting sustainable measures for achieving development goals.
A representative from the World Bank Group, Madam Dashani Dasilvera, speaking on behalf of the Country Director, Mr. Pierre Laporte, encouraged the beneficiaries to continue adopting sustainable practices to improve livelihoods through the REDD+ initiative.
She urged the communities and farmers to use the payments to acquire much-needed farming inputs and invest in community projects, contributing to Ghana's progress in tackling climate change and fostering sustainable development.