Ghana has pledged to restore 2 million hectares of degraded lands in the country under the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100).
Ghana is part of 28 countries committed to restoring 111 million hectares of degraded lands globally.
This was revealed at an awareness raising inception workshop for AFR100 for all stakeholders nationwide in the Ashanti Region.
Acting Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, John Alexis Pwamang, was hopeful that the workshop would “deepen our understanding of the AFR100, and what is expected of key stakeholders in achieving commitments that have been made under this initiative.”
40-60% of the total land area in Ghana are estimated to have been degraded, with an annual rate of deforestation estimated at 3.2% per annum.
Senior Environmental Specialist with the World Bank, Asferachew Abate, believes Africa is capable of fulfilling its commitment to the restoration of degraded lands.
“We need to get the commitment of the communities and especially government, to do the rehabilitation work. We need investment, we need to get resources from probably development partners. But again, we shouldn’t undermine the capacity of Africa in this. We are doing it on daily basis, the farmers are doing it, they know what land degradation is.”
The Two-day workshop will set an agenda to create awareness among the populace on the importance of AFR100 in the national development agenda.
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By: Loretta Timah | citinewsroom.com | Ghana
