The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, as part of his working visits to familiarize himself with the Ministry’s agencies, engaged the Forest Plantation Development Fund (FPDF) Board to assess their operational activities and discuss ways to enhance their mandate in line with the government’s reset agenda.
During the meeting with management and staff on Thursday, 10th April 2025, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah commended the Fund Board Secretariat for their efforts in promoting forest plantation development. He emphasized the importance of aligning their activities with the government’s broader environmental objectives to improve the nation’s forest cover. “I believe the objectives of the Fund Board are relevant, and the new administration will revisit its affairs to make it more effective,” he stated.
Mr. Jason Nunoo, a Technical Officer with the Secretariat, briefed the visiting team on the Board’s operations, challenges, and proposed recommendations. He highlighted pressing issues such as the continuous drop in funds from primary sources, poor monitoring of disbursed funds, and the inadequate structuring of the Secretariat. These, he noted, require urgent attention from the Ministry to ensure the Fund Board’s sustainability. “By implementing recommendations—including increased funding and strengthened monitoring and evaluation mechanisms—the FPDF can enhance its impact and contribute to Ghana’s broader environmental and economic goals,” Mr. Nunoo added.
In an interview with the media, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Yusif Sulemana, assured that concerns raised by management—such as settling outstanding debts for seedlings procured for previous Green Ghana Day initiatives—would be addressed by the new Board once constituted. He also stressed the need to amend the governing Act 623 to review the Fund Board’s mandate and formally establish it as an agency under the Ministry.
Background on FPDF
Established under Act 583 of 2000 and amended by Act 623 in 2002, the FPDF provides financial support for private forest plantation development on lands suitable for commercial timber production. Additionally, the Fund offers research and technical advice to individuals engaged in commercial plantation forestry.
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