By Jones Anlimah
MORE Foundation Ghana, a Non Governmental Organization has introduced its “Monetizing Nature with TreeBanks Trust” initiative to members of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs. The initiative which forms part of a broader effort by US-based Non Governmental Organization, MORE Foundation Group, aims to merge environmental conservation with economic empowerment and is set to create sustainable community wealth through the establishment of local TreeBankTrusts, while tackling deforestation in the region.
Explaining the initiative to the house, the Director of MORE Foundation Ghana, Mr. Nash Akoni Sefadzi, said the project will be fully funded by private investors and will enable schools/school children to participate in the More Trees Now (MTN) program at no cost. According to him, chiefs will play a key role in managing the programme and will serve as custodians of about 5,000 trees to be planted by students in the respective communities.
The program’s innovative “Monetizing Nature with TreeBanks Trust” model offers economic incentives by giving each participating TreeBankTrust in Ghana 2% of the trees planted annually which is equivalent to about 100 hardwood trees out of the 5,000 planted. The remaining 98% of the trees will be retained by the chief and the local community, providing a lasting source of revenue as the trees mature.
“This initiative offers a unique opportunity for chiefs and their communities to generate sustainable income from conservation efforts. By supporting this program, chiefs can help triple the regional economy within the next decade, while also contributing to environmental restoration”, Mr Sefadzi stated.
According to him, MORE Foundation Ghana is committed to introducing new, high-value tree species and appropriate technologies that will allow communities to maximize profits from their tree cultivation. He added that the entire initiative will be funded by private donors, who will receive 2% of the trees planted as compensation.
Mr Sefadzi noted that the foundation will oversee the management of the trees, including selective harvesting to ensure sustainability. He added that chiefs and their communities will not be required to bear any upfront costs for seeds, materials, or school infrastructure, with MORE Foundation USA stepping in to cover these expenses.
He emphasized the long-term impact of the initiative, which aims to establish about 10,000 TreeBankTrusts across the country, planted and managed by students in their communities. “This is a solution that not only protects the environment but also provides a sustainable, green future for Ghana,” he remarked.
He added “The foundation will also identify buyers for the hardwood produced, guaranteeing access to markets across Africa. Chiefs will retain the option to sell their hardwood trees to buyers of their choosing, further enhancing the programme’s economic potential”.
The President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs Togbe Tapre Hodo IV, commended the initiative for its dual focus on environmental conservation and economic empowerment while recognizing its potential to create sustainable wealth while preserving natural resources. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the chiefs, communities, and MORE Foundation to ensure the program’s long-term success in the region.
MORE Foundation Ghana’s “Monetizing Nature with TreeBanks Trust” initiative offers a bold new path for regional development, blending conservation with economic growth, and empowering local communities to take charge of their environmental and financial futures.
MORE Foundation is a US-based non-profit organization focused on reforestation and agroforestry through self-sustaining tree farming. By collecting gently used athletic shoes for funding, they purchase seeds, establish nurseries, and educate students to support both environmental and economic growth in it’s operational areas.
