Project objectives

The main goal of FORM Ghana is to establish a plantation and management company for timber and non-timber forest products certified according to the FSC standard for SFM and carbon credit guidelines, with a minimum size of 4000 ha.

FORM Ghana will set up the first commercial reforestation project as an example for sustainable plantation establishment and management. Aim is to attract new investors in the sub sector. The company will operate according to the highest technical, social and environmental benchmarks available, notably by certifying the plantation to international FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) and carbon credits standards. Increased investments in the forestry sub sector will contribute to Ghana's sustainable economic growth and (value added) exports of timber products. It will also turn the vast area of degraded forest lands into an economically productive and environmentally well managed region.

Specific objectives

• Transfer knowledge to the local population and train local farmers in sound nursery and plantation establishment and management techniques. Also, build up a local team of at least 3-5 Agro-forestry engineers.
• Build up the necessary infrastructure: a model nursery, training centre and pilot plantation of 400 ha (including plantations of various trees species).
• Elaborate and field test an intercropping system for farmers, including a 25 hectare pilot with small holders
• Provide research sites for the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG).
• Elaborate a sustainable lease concept for reforestation in degraded Forest Reserves in collaboration with the Forestry Commission.
• Certify the management of the plantation according to FSC and carbon credit standards (Carbon Offset Certification, for example by SGS).