Ghana secures $30M UAE grant for forest conservation

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, representing the Forestry Commission, has signed a Letter of Intent with the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to secure a grant of USD 30 million. This funding aims to support alternative livelihoods for communities living near forest areas, encouraging their involvement in forest conservation, restoration, and reforestation efforts.

This initiative is a key part of Ghana’s ongoing efforts to achieve biodiversity and climate goals under the Resilient Ghana Package, which was introduced during COP28 in Dubai last year.

At COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, alongside then-UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, launched the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP). This global forum unites governments and partners to work on solutions aimed at reducing deforestation, enhancing restoration efforts, and promoting sustainable development.

At COP 28, Ghana officially introduced its Resilient Ghana Package under the FCLP. The package presents a comprehensive approach to addressing forest degradation, ensuring sustainable development, and fostering rural transformation by integrating various system-wide initiatives to combat forest loss and drive economic progress in forest-fringe communities.

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Forestry Commission, has secured a major commitment from the UAE government, which will invest USD 30 million to bolster Ghana’s efforts in combating deforestation and forest degradation by 2030. This partnership is grounded in the Resilient Ghana Package, launched during COP28 in Dubai, aimed at advancing biodiversity and climate goals.

The Resilient Ghana Package is built on three core pillars: nature-based industrialization and rural development, future-oriented green jobs and livelihoods, and enhancing climate ambitions. Several nations pledged their support for the package at its launch, with the UAE committing substantial funds as part of its contribution to combating deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Following a series of discussions between Ghana and the UAE, the funding plan took a significant step forward. On September 27, 2024, during the United Nations Climate Week in New York, Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, signed a Letter of Intent alongside UAE Minister for Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi. The agreement, witnessed by UAE Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, outlines the UAE’s commitment to providing up to USD 30 million to support Ghana’s biodiversity and climate efforts under the Resilient Ghana Package and REDD+ strategies.

These funds will be allocated to programs ranging from targeted local interventions in specific regions of Ghana to broader national-level initiatives aimed at reversing deforestation and promoting sustainable environmental practices.

At the signing ceremony, Mr. Samuel Jinapor, Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to restoring habitats, safeguarding endangered species, and fostering resilient ecosystems. He acknowledged the significant challenges ahead but emphasized that through partnerships and a shared vision, Ghana can lead the way toward sustainable solutions that benefit both the country and the global community.

Mr. Jinapor expressed his gratitude to the UAE government and all parties involved in the negotiations, noting that Ghana will develop robust strategies to fulfill the goals of the Resilient Ghana Package.

Her Excellency Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, UAE Minister for Climate Change and Environment, praised Ghana’s leadership in advancing nature-based solutions to climate change. She highlighted that the UAE’s partnership with Ghana reflects its commitment to global biodiversity, climate, and development goals. Dr. Amna emphasized that the UAE’s investment in Ghana would not only support the country’s reforestation efforts but also have a broader positive impact on local communities. She stressed that the initiatives backed by the UAE aim to strengthen local livelihoods, enhance forest protection, and foster deeper community involvement.

Deforestation, a major contributor to climate change, has been a pressing issue for Ghana. From 2001 to 2015, the country lost approximately 209,034 hectares of forest, equating to an annual deforestation rate of 0.19%. This loss was largely driven by agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and small-scale mining. As the world’s second-largest producer of cocoa and one of the most forest-rich countries, Ghana’s deforestation rate posed a significant challenge to the goals of the Paris Agreement and global supply chains.

However, since 2017, Ghana has seen a 48% improvement in its high forest zone, thanks to initiatives like the Resilient Ghana Package and the REDD+ Programme. The government aims to further scale up its efforts to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030, in line with the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forest and Land Use.