A University of Cape Coast senior lecturer has called on Ghana’s policymakers and communities to replace single-species tree planting with a food forest model that combines timber trees with fruit-bearing species, arguing the approach would accelerate ecological recovery, attract wildlife and deliver direct economic benefits to communities living near degraded forest zones.
Dr. Frank Ackah, speaking in an interview with The High Street Journal, said current reforestation efforts in Ghana focus too heavily on planting without adequate attention to long-term maintenance or ecological balance, reducing the likelihood that restored areas will sustain themselves over time.
He proposed introducing fruit trees including mango, avocado and papaya alongside conventional timber species in reforestation programmes, particularly in areas degraded by illegal mining. Forest zones affected by galamsey have lost both vegetation and wildlife, he said, making natural animal recolonisation unlikely without deliberate intervention. Fruit trees, by providing food sources, could draw wildlife back into restored areas while simultaneously offering food and income for surrounding communities.
Dr. Ackah stressed that community ownership is the most reliable predictor of reforestation success. When local people see tangible economic and nutritional value in planted trees, they are more motivated to protect and maintain them over the long term.
He further proposed integrating fruit tree planting into school grounds and community spaces, arguing that even small plots can serve both educational and food security purposes if planted strategically.
“We must think about food trees, wildlife, and community benefit,” he said, calling for a national rethink of tree-planting initiatives that balances environmental restoration with social and economic outcomes.
