Episode 11: Rooted in Community - How Form Ghana is Restoring Forests and Futures.

In this special episode of Ambition to Impact, we take you deep into the heart of central Ghana. Recorded entirely on-location, Sherah Beckley, our Senior Manager of Client Solutions, sits down with Paul Ontoaneyin, Environment and Social Manager at Form Ghana - one of our exclusive reforestation and community development projects.

Ghana lost 2.5 million hectares of forest between 1990 and 2010. Form Ghana is reversing that trend - restoring nearly 12,000 hectares so far, with a goal of reaching 20,000 through the planting of teak (Tectona grandis) and native species. But this is about more than trees. Their work has already created over 1,000 jobs - 40% held by women - and is tackling the root causes of deforestation through a unique blend of sustainable forestry, biodiversity protection, and deep community engagement.

Paul shares how Form Ghana’s approach combines on-the-ground forestry, farmer support programs, biodiversity restoration, and fire prevention - building a resilient future for people and planet. Listen on Spotify above or watch the full video below to learn about: 

• Empowerment through Employment: The focus on hiring women not only aids in the social empowerment of women in local communities but also recognizes their significant contributions to forest management, leading to better project outcomes.
• Integrated Fire Management: The community fire management initiatives not only provide a proactive approach to addressing fires but also foster local ownership and involvement, which is crucial for long-term sustainability.
• Economic Benefits to Farmers: The intercropping agreements not only assist farmers economically by providing land and reducing costs but also enhance the ecological health of the area by promoting biodiversity through responsible farming.
• Shared Responsibilities: The benefit-sharing agreement ensures that all stakeholders, from landowners to local communities, receive fair compensation and acknowledgment for their roles in the project, which builds trust and fosters cooperation.
• Investment in Training: Continuous capacity building, learning opportunities, and management training for both men and women enhance the skillset of the workforce, ensuring better forest management practices and community development.
• Impact Measurement: Form Ghana’s regular biodiversity studies and the use of data to assess impacts show a commitment to adaptive management practices, proving that careful monitoring enables effective responses to ecological changes and project outcomes.

Sherah and Paul also unpack how companies with bold net-zero commitments can support this work through high-quality carbon removal credits, driving real climate action while empowering local communities.

This episode brings the impact of high-integrity carbon projects to life - from restoring ecosystems to changing livelihoods. Listen (or watch) now and get inspired. 

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