Accra: Hen Mpoano, a non-governmental organization focused on coastal and marine ecosystems, has launched a reforestation exercise to replant trees on degraded areas within the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve (CTPFR) in the Western Region. The initiative is a crucial part of efforts to restore biodiversity, improve ecological resilience, and strengthen community engagement in forest conservation, coinciding with this year's World Environment Day celebration.
According to Ghana News Agency, the exercise is themed 'Nurture Nature, Secure Our Future,' and forms part of Hen Mpoano's ongoing efforts to raise awareness on environmental conservation while promoting community participation in the sustainable management of natural resources, including forest reserves. This initiative is a component of the 'Enhancing Community-Based Forest Management of Biologically Important Rainforest in Southwest Ghana' project, which is being implemented by Hen Mpoano with funding support from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) through Bird Life International.
The project aims to foster collaborative forest governance between the Forestry Commission, which includes both the Wildlife Division and the Forest Services Division, and local communities. Its focus is on enhancing wildlife protection, restoring degraded forest and wetland habitats, and supporting ecosystem-based livelihoods for forest-dependent households, such as village savings and loans associations and nursery work. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen community-based forest monitoring structures to ensure long-term conservation outcomes.
During a community durbar and tree planting exercise at Adalazo in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region, Mr. Justice Camillus Mensah, a Programmes Manager at Hen Mpoano, emphasized the importance of protecting Ghana's forest reserves, particularly the CTPFR, as the country faces one of the leading rates of primate forest loss. He highlighted that the CTPFR represents Ghana's last remaining expanse of intact coastal rainforest, spanning approximately 5,200 hectares, and is recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area, Globally Significant Biodiversity Area, and Important Bird Area, hosting a rich biodiversity including over 27 tree species, 17 species of medium to large mammals, and 45 butterfly species.
However, Mr. Mensah noted that the reserve is threatened by illegal logging, poaching, encroachment, and illegal mining activities. To counter these threats, Hen Mpoano, in collaboration with key partners, plans to plant over 15,000 commercially important tree species to restore 30 hectares of degraded patches within and around the forest reserve. This tree planting initiative is seen as a significant step towards restoring degraded habitats and reinforcing community-led forest protection and restoration efforts.
Mr. Charles Afosah, Project Lead at West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA), underscored the severe existential threats posed by illegal mining and logging activities in the CTPFR. He commended Hen Mpoano for its reforestation initiative and appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to curb illegal mining activities, known as galamsey, to protect the country's only coastal forest from further destruction.
Madam Tracy Boadi, an Ecotourism Officer at the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, stressed the importance of trees for both human and animal life, encouraging citizens to adopt a culture of tree planting. Mr. Elijah Adu, a resident of Adalazo, commended Hen Mpoano for fostering community engagement in forest conservation and expressed commitment to protecting the forest reserve from illegal activities.