Accra: As Ghana continues to battle deforestation and habitat loss, experts have renewed calls for urgent conservation of the country’s threatened tree species, which are vital to sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem balance. This call was amplified at the Second Threatened Trees Conservation Workshop, hosted by the Forestry Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-FORIG) at Fumesua in the Ejisu Municipality.
According to Ghana News Agency, the two-day event brought together local and international conservationists, scientists, and policymakers to assess progress and strengthen collaboration on tree species preservation. Dr. Kwame Antwi Oduro, Director of CSIR-FORIG, addressing the opening session, underscored the central role trees play in maintaining ecological integrity and supporting wildlife. He highlighted the alarming rate of forest degradation in Ghana due to agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and mining activities.
Dr. Oduro emphasized that forests are crucial for biodiversity, serving as home to numerous species of amphibians, birds, and mammals. He urged that protecting these trees must become a shared national responsibility. The workshop follows the outcomes of a previous international meeting, which led to the development of Ghana’s National Conservation Action Plan for threatened tree species. This plan, supported by Fondation Franklinia, identifies 39 species in urgent need of protection.
Since 2005, Fondation Franklinia has been involved in preserving threatened trees globally. Its collaboration with CSIR-FORIG and other Ghanaian institutions reflects a collective commitment to reversing forest degradation. Dr. Olivier Hasinger, Grant Manager at Fondation Franklinia, praised Ghana’s leadership in forest conservation and reaffirmed support for reforestation programmes across the country.
Dr. James Amponsah, Project Coordinator, outlined progress made under the ongoing initiative, including prioritizing four critically endangered tree species for conservation. The team has conducted field surveys, collected seeds, and raised seedlings for distribution. Habitat suitability mapping has also been completed to ensure effective replanting.
CSIR-FORIG is currently working with several organizations and communities to advance restoration efforts. Mr. Kwamena Quaison from the Ministry of Environment Science and Technology commended all partners for their dedication, emphasizing the broader implications of conserving tree species on livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage.