REDD in Ghana

Ghana has moved forward on several REDD preparation processes, with its RPP developed during 2009 and approved for a $3.4 million grant at the FCPF Participants Committee meeting in 2010. The approval was subject to revision of the R-PP to address a few key issues and pending completion of due diligence by the World Bank.

Civil society in Ghana was not happy with the rushed nature of the R-PP consultations in light of recently concluded VPA process, an issue that was raised in October 2009 when the RPP was first presented, and also at the FCPF Participants Committee Meeting in March 2010.

Early in 2010, Ghana was approved as one of the five initial pilot countries for the Forest Investment Program (FIP). The aim of this programme is to support transformational change in the forest sector in these countries, with significantly more funding available than through any of the other REDD initiatives. The Ghana National REDD Steering Committee continues to meet to discuss issues on moving forward with REDD readiness in the country, including a public call for registration of REDD projects in Ghana with the Forestry Commission.

Civil society in Ghana continues to push for the implementation of the VPA and for ongoing REDD processes to meet a similar standard of stakeholder participation.