The Forestry Commission (FC), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Forum Ghana (WFFG), has organised a three-day capacity-building workshop in Accra for participants of the Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Forests (AIM4Forests) Young Forest Champions initiative.

The workshop, held from November 5 to 7, aimed to strengthen the knowledge, leadership, and technical skills of selected Young Forest Champions (YFCs) to enable them to design, implement, and advocate for community-based forest restoration and climate action projects.

These efforts align with national priorities and FAO’s framework for sustainable forest management.

AIM4Forests is a five-year global initiative designed to enhance forest monitoring systems through the application of modern technologies, technical innovation, and space-based data tools such as remote sensing.

The programme seeks to build countries’ capacity to manage forest resources sustainably while contributing to global climate resilience.

As part of this global initiative, the Young Forest Champions programme engages, inspires, and empowers young people to take active roles in forest conservation and climate action.

This year, over 1,500 youth from five participating countries — Ghana, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, and Peru — applied for the programme.

Out of 148 Ghanaian applicants, 10 were selected to take part in the workshop hosted at the Forestry Commission’s Headquarters.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, the Acting Director of the Climate Change Directorate, Dr. Joseph Appiah Gyapong, described the initiative as a strategic collaboration aimed at mobilising young people as key custodians of forests and advocates for climate resilience.

He commended the programme for demonstrating the transformative impact of youth engagement in environmental protection, noting that “when young people are equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and mentorship, they can make a significant difference in restoring and safeguarding our forests.”

Dr. Gyapong further observed that the high number of applicants reflected the growing interest of African youth in sustainable forest management.

Miss Eva Ntara, Facilitator of the AIM4Forests Young Champions initiative, explained that the programme is designed to fully equip the next generation with the technical and practical skills required to contribute meaningfully to forest conservation. She noted that similar workshops had already been held in Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, and Peru, with Ghana serving as the final host country.

Miss Ntara added that the initiative was officially launched on World Environment Day, June 5, 2025 — a symbolic moment that underscores the vital role of young people in advancing global environmental sustainability.

During the workshop, Miss Tessia Boateng, Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Officer at the Climate Change Directorate, delivered a presentation on the operations of the Forestry Commission.

She outlined the key roles of the Commission’s divisions and centres, and emphasised the Directorate’s efforts to integrate innovative forest monitoring systems and strengthen Ghana’s capacity in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Participants had the opportunity to present progress on their individual forest conservation projects, engage in mentorship sessions, and participate in a field trip to the Atewa Range Forest Reserve.

The visit offered practical insights into the importance of forest conservation and introduced participants to the Ground Open Foris tool — a digital resource to support project implementation and monitoring.

The three-day event formed part of the Forestry Commission’s broader efforts to promote innovation, youth leadership, and international cooperation in advancing the sustainable management of Ghana’s forest resources.