The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), in partnership with the Forestry Commission and other stakeholders, has launched a five-year initiative to restore 50 hectares of degraded forest in the Subri River Forest Reserve at Sekyere Krobo in the Western Region.
The project, commissioned on October 29, 2026, is being supported by Zijin Golden Ridge Ghana and forms part of MIIF’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Biodiversity Reforestation Project.
It seeks to promote environmental sustainability, restore degraded forest areas and strengthen biodiversity conservation in Ghana’s mining communities.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, MIIF Chief Executive Officer, Justina Nelson, said the initiative reflects the Fund’s commitment to ensuring that the economic benefits derived from mineral resources are matched by responsible environmental stewardship.
“The true value of our nation’s mineral wealth lies not only in what we extract today, but also in the natural heritage we preserve for generations to come,” she said.
Mrs. Nelson stressed that the success of the initiative would not be determined solely by the number of trees planted, but by how effectively the forest is restored and protected over time.
She said sustained care, effective monitoring and the collective commitment of stakeholders would be crucial to achieving the project’s long-term objectives.
The Forestry Commission is providing technical expertise and implementation support to guide the rehabilitation process and improve the long-term survival of the restored forest.
The Executive Director of the Commission’s Forest Services Division, Dr. Sarfo Adu, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration and effective forest management in ensuring successful restoration.
He said the Commission would provide the necessary technical guidance and implementation support to ensure the exercise is properly managed and that the planted trees survive to support the forest’s recovery.
Dr. Adu also encouraged other corporate organisations to partner with the Forestry Commission to help restore Ghana’s degraded forest landscape.
He said such partnerships would complement the government’s Tree for Life Restoration Initiative, launched by President John Dramani Mahama on March 21, 2025.
The Paramount Chief of Sekyere Krobo, Nana Kwao Badu II, commended MIIF and its partners for the initiative, particularly the involvement of local farmers in the restoration exercise.
He urged the Forestry Commission to work closely with the participating farmers to ensure they also benefit from their efforts to nurture and protect the trees.
According to him, recognising the livelihoods and contributions of local communities would encourage a stronger sense of ownership and responsibility towards protecting the forest.
Nana Kwao Badu II also expressed appreciation to MIIF for providing farm tools to support the participating farmers and appealed for additional assistance for forest guards to strengthen security and protection of the reserve.
His remarks highlighted the importance of linking environmental conservation with community livelihoods and effective forest protection.
The five-year project brings together MIIF, the Forestry Commission, corporate organisations and local stakeholders in a collective effort to address forest degradation, protect biodiversity and promote sustainable environmental practices.
MIIF acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Forestry Commission, corporate Ghana, traditional authorities, the District Assembly and the people of Sekyere Krobo.
Through the restoration of 50 hectares of degraded forest, the Fund says it is reinforcing its commitment to responsible mineral wealth management and ensuring that environmental protection remains central to Ghana’s sustainable development agenda.
