Today, as we observe the International Day of Forests, we reaffirm our commitment to restoring degraded landscapes and promoting sustainable growth. The theme for 2025, "Forests and Food", highlights the critical role forests play in ensuring food security, sustaining livelihoods, and preserving environmental health. At the Institute of Green Growth Solutions (IGGS), we take this opportunity to reflect on our ongoing efforts to restore land while fostering a balanced and productive relationship with nature. Our mission is rooted in the belief that healthy forests sustain both ecosystems and communities, providing environmental benefits and tangible economic and social improvements.

Our current project in Bekwai and Kokofu is a testament to this commitment. Spanning a target area of over 1,000 hectares, we have successfully restored 153.28 hectares of degraded land, with an ambitious goal to reach 250 hectares by December 2025. Through agroforestry and reforestation techniques, we are transforming degraded landscapes into productive ecosystems by planting a diverse mix of native and economically valuable species such as Cedrela Odorata, Terminalia superba, Terminalia ivorensis, Khaya ivorensis, Ceiba Petandra, and Cola gigantea. To further integrate food security into our restoration efforts, we are intercropping trees with crops such as plantain, banana, cabbage, and pepper, ensuring that
the land remains productive while improving soil fertility and supporting local livelihoods. This integrated agroforestry model enhances biodiversity, prevents soil erosion, conserves water bodies, and creates a more resilient landscape that benefits both people and nature.

At IGGS, we believe that sustainable land restoration must directly benefit the people who depend on the land. Our projects provide employment opportunities for local farmers, youth, and women’s groups, engaging them in tree planting, nursery establishment, and agroforestry management. Through training in sustainable farming practices, we are equipping them with
the skills needed to manage the land effectively. The impact of this work is already being felt.

As one local farmer, Akua Mensah, shared, "Through IGGS, I have been able to grow plantain and vegetables while also taking care of the trees we planted. This project is not just restoring the land it is helping us feed our families and secure a better future." As we commemorate this year’s International Day of Forests, we are reminded that forests are more than just trees; they are essential to food security, climate resilience, and economic stability. Through our restoration efforts, we are increasing food security by improving soil fertility and creating microclimates that support diverse crops. Our work supports
biodiversity by providing habitats for pollinators and wildlife, while also playing a crucial role in climate change mitigation by sequestering carbon and reversing land degradation. By integrating sustainable agriculture with forestry, we are not only restoring the land but also creating economic opportunities that strengthen local communities.

While we are proud of the progress made, our journey is far from over. Beyond 2025, IGGS envisions scaling up land restoration efforts to restore an additional 500 hectares by 2030, expanding our impact on degraded forests, agricultural landscapes, and rural livelihoods. We aim to strengthen partnerships, attract more investment, and deepen community participation to ensure a lasting impact. The International Day of Forests serves as a powerful reminder that protecting and restoring forests is a shared responsibility. We invite governments, development partners, businesses, and individuals to join IGGS in our mission to create a more sustainable, food-secure, and climate-resilient future. By supporting our tree-planting
and agroforestry projects, partnering with us to scale up restoration efforts, or advocating for policies that promote sustainable forest management, we can collectively work toward a world where nature flourishes, communities prosper, and future generations inherit a healthier planet.

Happy International Day of Forests!