About GFIP

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FORESTS

Provide and Sustain Livelihoods

Let us protect them

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PROMOTE

Modified Taungya Plantation

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PLANT A TREE

In Your Cocoa Farm

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A HEALTHY FOREST

Provides Healthy Climate for Cocoa

About Ghana Forest Investment Programme

The Forest Investment Programme (FIP), is a targeted programme under the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) of the Climate Investment Fund (CIF).The FIP aims to finance country specific eﬀorts to address the underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation and to overcome barriers that have hindered past eﬀorts to do so.

Ghana was among eight (8) countries in the world selected as a pilot country for the FIP in March 2010. Each pilot country had to develop a Forest Investment Plan for the approval of the Climate Investment Fund Subcommittee.

Ghana prepared its Investment Plan together with stakeholders and was approved by the CIF subcommittee in November 2012. The Investment Plan outlined three (3) projects and secured a total funding of 50 Million Dollars from the SCF which is being disbursed through Multilateral Development Banks (World Bank, African Development Bank and International Finance Cooperation). The African Development Bank also gave a grant worth five (5) Million Dollars to support the project 2 of the GFIP.

The aim of the Forest Investment Plan (FIP) for Ghana is to address the underlying drivers of deforestation and catalyse transformational change by providing upfront investment to support the implementation of the REDD+ strategy, and generate information and experience for policy and regulatory changes, with the ultimate aim of reducing the emissions of GHG within the LULUCF sector in Ghana.

The GFIP is being implemented in the High Forest Zone of Ghana covering the Western and the Brong-Ahafo Regions.

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From the Program Manager

The Ghana Forest Investment Programme (GFIP) is being implemented in the High Forest Zone of Ghana covering Western and the Brong-Ahafo Regions under two major projects:

Project 1: Enhancing Natural Forest and Agro-Forest Landscape Project (ENFALP) funded by the Climate Investment Fund (CIF) through the World Bank.

Project 2: Engaging Local Communities in REDD+ /Enhancing Carbon Stock (ELCIR+), funded by the African Development Bank (AFDB).

Under these two projects, the ultimate expectations are to improve the forest and tree management practices by cocoa farmers, CREMA communities and forest reserve managers to reduce forest loss and degradation in selected landscapes in Ghana’s High Forest Zone. The project will also contribute to increase of carbon stocks in off-reserve areas.

The beneficiaries of this project are the rural communities (current and future generations) in the Western and Brong-Ahafo Regions who manage agricultural landscapes and forests for their livelihoods, especially those involved in cocoa farming, and members of CREMA.

Along the FIP funding, is the Dedicated Grant Mechanism (DGM) of 5million Dollars from the World Bank which seeks to build the capacity of FIP project communities to effectively engage in the FIP process.

Tabi Agyarko

GFIP Program manager

From the Policy Reforms and Communications Manager

One of the major policy reforms being undertaken by the GFIP is the Tree Tenure and Benefit Sharing Framework. The Policy seeks to provide benefits to farmers who nature naturally occurring trees on their farms during land preparation.

As part of efforts to change the attitude of farmers towards the environment, the GFIP Communication Team is adopting the Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) Strategy in its outreach programmes. This involves the use of various communication channels – Radio TV, Durbars, Workshops, Field Demonstrations, Town Hall Meetings, Handouts, Posters, Websites etc. in reaching out to project beneficiary communities and other major partners.

Joseph Osiakwan

GFIP PROJECT Communications Manager

Taking steps to restore our forests

World climate is changing very fast. Forests and forest reserves contribute greatly to maintaining a stable suitable climatic environment for all species of life. The Ghana Forest Investment Program is ensuring the overall restoration and improvement of forest reserves in the High Forest Zone of Ghana. GFIP actions are geared towards reversing the damages done to our forests and forest reserves sustain life and livelihoods.

Quick Facts

What is GFIP?

Ghana Forest Investment Program, GFIP for short, is a part of the World Bank’s Forest Investment Programme (FIP) across forest areas in selected countries. The overall aim is to reverse the damages to forest reserves and consequently enhancing overall positive climate and healthy environment.

Why is GFIP Necessary?

Human activities over the years have become a major threat to the survival of forests around the globe. Forests are important to the sustenance of all forms of life as we know it. If measures are not taken to protect and preserve the forests, especially the forest reserves, life could easily come to an unexpected end. It is said that when the last tree dies, the last man dies.

What are the objectives of GFIP?

Ensure the integrity, restoration, and sustainable management of forest reserves by introducing more inclusive management practices and benefit sharing models, financial incentives, and investments;
Restore forest cover in off-reserve areas by securing tree tenure and benefits, forest plantations and landscape restoration, and rehabilitation of degraded forest land;
Increase trees and enhance carbon stocks in the farming system by promoting sustainable cocoa and agriculture practices; and
Develop viable alternative livelihoods for local communities by addressing a broad range of technical, financial and market incentives, to reduce pressure on existing forests.

Who are the beneficiaries of the GFIP

GFIP benefits every Ghanaian in the sense that the improved forests create a healthier cleaner air and water for all; generally quality of life through the environment improves.

Additionally, with climate smart cocoa, and other intervention programs, there are greater economic benefits to us as a people.

There are direct beneficiaries however. These include Cocoa Farmers, Charcoal burners, Hunters, youth in the GFIP districts, CREMA communities, and others.

How can you help as a citizen?

GFIP is an important national program that affects all. You can get involved by reading all you can about the program, educating your friends and loved ones especially those who live in the forest areas and forest-fringe communities.

If you have the capacity to invest, you can contact the programme secretariat for more information on investment opportunities.

If you are a journalist, or media owner, you can promote the GFIP agenda by educating and engaging your audiences or readers on GFIP related topics.

More about GFIP

There are a number of projects under the GFIP program. Read more about the projects, Components, and achievements of the Ghana Forest Investment Programme.