In Ghana, cocoa cultivation is not only a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy but also a major driver of land-use changes across the country’s forest zones. As global demand for sustainably produced cocoa grows, there is increasing urgency to find solutions that balance agricultural development with environmental conservation. In response, Ghana has adopted the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP), a flagship initiative under the national REDD+ strategy, which seeks to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while promoting sustainable cocoa production and improving rural livelihoods. 

At the heart of this initiative are the Hotspot Intervention Areas (HIAs) priority landscapes co-managed by communities, traditional authorities, private sector actors, and government institutions. These HIAs are designed as platforms for collaborative, integrated land-use planning and action, to transform cocoa-forest landscapes into resilient, low-emission, and economically vibrant ecosystems. By empowering local leadership and fostering cross-learning among HIAs, the GCFRP aims to scale best practices and catalyze change from the ground up. This is where the Green Commodities Programme comes in.

As part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainable land-use practices in Ghana, the Ahafo Ano Hotspot Intervention Area (HIA) executives undertook a Peer Learning Visit to the Kakum HIA under the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP). Hotspot Intervention Areas (HIAs) are priority landscapes identified under the GCFRP where targeted interventions aim to reduce deforestation, enhance sustainable cocoa production, and improve community livelihoods. These areas serve as demonstration sites for implementing integrated approaches to landscape management that balance agricultural productivity with forest protection.

This strategic engagement forms part of a broader knowledge-sharing initiative aimed at strengthening local leadership, enhancing community-based conservation, and fostering resilient cocoa-forest landscapes.

The exchange provided a platform for dialogue, experiential learning, and collaboration between HIA management teams. A highlight of the visit was a field tour to a Modified Taungya System (MTS) site in the Bimpong Forest Reserve at Assin Fosso. The MTS is an integrated agroforestry model that combines farming practices with native tree planting. The model demonstrates how community members can simultaneously enhance their livelihoods while contributing to reforestation and forest conservation efforts.

Speaking during the exchange, Mr. John Ametsitre, Secretary of the Kakum HIA, emphasized the importance of practical learning exchanges:
“We believe that when communities learn from one another’s successes and challenges, they build stronger and more locally adapted solutions. The MTS approach is one such innovation that proves forests and farms can coexist harmoniously.”