The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has secured a $30 million grant from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to support forest conservation efforts.

This funding, aimed at providing alternative livelihood support for communities near forest areas, is intended to incentivize forest protection, restoration, and reforestation initiatives.

This agreement forms part of Ghana's commitment to achieving biodiversity and climate objectives under the Resilient Ghana Package, which was launched at the 2023 COP28 summit in Dubai. The initiative focuses on halting and reversing deforestation while promoting sustainable development.

The deal was formalized on September 27, 2024, during the United Nations Climate Week in New York, where Ghana's Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, and UAE’s Minister for Climate Change and Environment, H.E Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, signed a Letter of Intent to release the funds. The UAE’s High-Level Champion for COP28 and President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, was also present during the signing ceremony.

Speaking after the event, Samuel Jinapor expressed Ghana’s determination to implement strategies aimed at restoring habitats, protecting endangered species, and fostering resilient ecosystems. He acknowledged the daunting challenges but emphasized that collaboration and a shared vision could lead to sustainable solutions that benefit not only Ghana but the global community as well.

"I express deep appreciation to the Government of the UAE and all those involved in the negotiations leading to the signing of this agreement. Ghana will develop the necessary strategies to achieve the objectives of the Resilient Ghana Package," Mr. Jinapor stated.

On her part, H.E. Amna Al Shamsi praised Ghana’s leadership in addressing forest loss and nature-based climate solutions. “Our partnership with Ghana is a testament to the UAE’s focus on global biodiversity, climate, and development goals. By backing comprehensive initiatives aimed at forest protection and enhancement, we aim to strengthen local livelihoods and foster greater community engagement,” she said.

The $30 million grant is a key component of the Resilient Ghana Package, which was introduced at COP28 as part of Ghana’s broader efforts under the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP). Launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former UK Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak at COP27, the FCLP seeks to bring governments and stakeholders together to reduce forest loss and promote sustainable development.

The Resilient Ghana Package is built around three core pillars: nature-based industrialization and rural development, future-fit green jobs and livelihoods, and scaling climate ambition. It aims to reverse forest loss and degradation by 2030, in line with the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use.

The UAE’s financial commitment will support programs targeting specific landscapes in Ghana, as well as national-level interventions. The investment is expected to boost Ghana’s efforts to tackle deforestation, which has been driven primarily by agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and small-scale mining. From 2001 to 2015, Ghana lost over 209,000 hectares of forest, a deforestation rate of about 0.19% per year.

Despite these challenges, Ghana has made significant progress in recent years. Since 2017, the country has achieved a 48% improvement in forest cover in its high forest zones. Through the Resilient Ghana Package and the REDD+ Program, the government aims to further enhance these efforts and meet its 2030 targets.

As one of the world's leading producers of cocoa, Ghana's forest conservation efforts are also crucial for global supply chains and the achievement of international climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement.

With this significant grant from the UAE, Ghana is poised to scale up its forest conservation initiatives, benefiting both the environment and local communities.