Expert Calls for “Food Forest” Approach to Restore Ghana’s Degraded Lands and Boost Biodiversity

A Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Frank Ackah, has called for a shift in Ghana’s reforestation strategy, urging policymakers and communities to adopt a “food forest” model that combines timber trees with fruit-bearing species to restore degraded lands while improving food security and biodiversity.

Speaking in an interview with The High Street Journal, Dr. Ackah noted that current tree-planting efforts often focus on planting trees without sufficient attention to long-term maintenance and ecological balance.

He argued that reforestation efforts should go beyond timber species to include fruit trees such as mango, avocado, and papaya, which can provide food sources for wildlife, encourage ecosystem recovery, and support local communities.

According to him, many forest areas affected by illegal mining and land degradation have lost both vegetation and wildlife, making it difficult for animals to return naturally. Introducing fruit trees, he said, could help attract wildlife back into restored forest zones while also providing economic and nutritional benefits for surrounding communities.

Dr. Ackah also emphasized the importance of community ownership, stating that reforestation projects are more likely to succeed when local people directly benefit from them. He explained that when communities see fruit trees as a source of food and income, they are more likely to protect and maintain them.

He further proposed integrating fruit tree planting into school environments and community spaces, arguing that even small plots of land can be used effectively to grow trees that serve both educational and nutritional purposes.

“Planting should not only be about timber production. We must think about food trees, wildlife, and community benefit,” he said, adding that a balanced approach would make reforestation more sustainable and impactful.

Dr. Ackah urged a national rethink of tree-planting initiatives, calling for a model that combines environmental restoration with social and economic benefits for local populations.