Proforest has presented 22 motorbikes to the Ahafo Regional Forestry Commission to strengthen forest patrols, improve access to remote forest areas and support restoration activities across the Asunafo-Asutifi landscape.
The presentation was made under the Support for Forest Protection and Rehabilitation in the Asunafo-Asutifi Landscape project, implemented as part of the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme with support from Mondelēz International, Barry Callebaut and Sainsbury’s Supermarket.
The project aims to rehabilitate approximately 450 hectares of severely degraded forest reserve areas, with particular focus on the Asutifi North Sub-Hotspot Intervention Area.
The newly presented motorbikes are expected to help field officers navigate difficult terrain, respond more quickly to illegal activities and monitor restoration sites more consistently.
Forest reserves in Ghana’s cocoa-producing landscapes continue to face pressure from degradation, encroachment and limited access for frontline officers. The support demonstrates how private-sector investment in cocoa sustainability can translate into practical action for forest protection, climate resilience and deforestation-free cocoa production.
Speaking on the initiative, Abraham Baffoe, Global and Africa Director of Proforest, said the support would strengthen the Forestry Commission’s capacity to protect forest reserves and monitor restoration activities across the landscape.
“This support will enhance the Forestry Commission’s ability to protect forest reserves and monitor restoration activities across the landscape,” Mr Baffoe said.
He added that improving mobility for frontline officers would help strengthen day-to-day forest protection, safeguard restoration investments and advance practical action towards climate-resilient, deforestation-free cocoa landscapes.
The Ahafo Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Rev. Edward Opoku Antwi, welcomed the donation, describing the motorbikes as timely support for forest protection efforts in the region.
“These motorbikes come at a critical time for forest protection in the region,” Rev. Opoku Antwi said.
According to him, the motorbikes will enable officers to reach remote areas more quickly, improve surveillance of the reserves and support restoration activities taking place across the Asunafo-Asutifi landscape.
Supporting Forest Protection and Restoration
Proforest works with companies, governments and civil society partners to support responsible production and sourcing of agricultural commodities.
The Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme seeks to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while promoting sustainable cocoa landscapes.
The Asunafo-Asutifi landscape is one of Ghana’s priority cocoa-forest landscapes for restoration and forest protection interventions.
The provision of the 22 motorbikes is expected to improve the operational capacity of forestry officers while supporting ongoing efforts to protect forest reserves, restore degraded areas and promote more sustainable cocoa production in the Ahafo Region.
