LocationsEnvironment & Forestry | Ghana
Enhancing Sustainability of Protected Area Systems IV (ESP IV)
Conserving and restoring Ghana's forest reserves through sustainable cocoa farming, innovative agroforestry, and community-led natural resource governance.
Agriculture expansion particularly cocoa farming has been a major driver of deforestation in Ghana's High Forest Zone. The loss and degradation of forest cover has interrupted biodiversity connectivity, increased vulnerability of farming communities, and undermined the livelihoods of those who depend on natural resources. The fourth phase of the ESP project applies innovative agroforestry models, including the Modified Taungya System (MTS), and strengthens community-led governance through the Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) model to control, restore, and avoid further forest loss across Ghana's cocoa landscapes.
Restoring Ghana's Forests, Strengthening Communities
The ESP IV project works hand-in-hand with cocoa farmers, community groups, and government institutions to restore degraded forest reserves and promote sustainable land use. By combining the Modified Taungya System with community-led governance models, the project is restoring 360 hectares of forest, distributing 420,000 economic tree seedlings, and directly supporting 200 farmers with ecosystem service payments — building a more resilient and sustainable cocoa landscape for Ghana.
