As the the world observes the International Day of Forests, recognised by the United Nations to highlight the vital role forests play in supporting livelihoods, employment, and local economies.

This year’s theme, “Forests and Economies,” underscores how forests actively drive economic activity and enhance well-being.

Globally, over 1.6 billion people depend on forests for subsistence, income, or jobs, while the forest sector provides 13 million formal jobs and an additional 40–50 million informal employment opportunities.

In Ghana, forests remain central to the economy, providing employment across forest management, timber production, and exports. Beyond timber, forests supply non-timber products like shea, medicinal plants, and ecotourism services, helping to reduce rural poverty.

Women play a crucial role, making up nearly half of the workforce in forest-dependent communities and serving as primary collectors of fuelwood, food, and other forest resources.

However, the country’s forests face severe threats, particularly from illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey. Forest reserves are being depleted, water sources contaminated, and fertile lands degraded—challenges that extend beyond environmental damage to affect livelihoods, food security, and economic stability.

Experts warn that galamsey prioritises short-term profits over sustainable benefits, leaving long-term scars on the land and undermining economic development.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, environmental and forestry specialists emphasize that safeguarding forests is not just an ecological concern but an economic imperative.

“We must strengthen the enforcement of forest regulations, invest in reforestation, and create alternative income streams to reduce reliance on destructive activities,” said a forestry sector official.

Innovation also offers pathways to economic growth within the sector. Value-added products, advanced timber processing, and sustainable construction methods like mass timber could generate new economic opportunities while preserving natural resources.

As Ghana joins the global community in marking International Day of Forests, the message is clear: protecting forests is essential for economic resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and the well-being of future generations.

Let us, therefore, as stakeholders, policymakers, and citizens, pledge to protect our forests. By doing so, we not only safeguard our environment but also secure our nation's economic future.

The Board of the Forest Plantation Development Fund is prepared to support this national goal. We regard forests as wealth; when managed sustainably, they serve as a renewable source of prosperity for generations. However, when destroyed, the economic losses become irreversible.

Protecting our forest is everyone’s problem. And everyone can benefit from solving it.

Let us collectively protect our forests, grow our economy, and build a sustainable future for Ghana.