On the lush hills of Ghana’s Atewa Range, cocoa farmer Susana Afrifa Ankrah is leading a pioneering effort to protect tropical forests while enhancing her farm’s productivity and sustainability.
- Shade-grown cocoa conserves soil and increases yields
- UN-backed REDD+ program rewards forest protection
- Farmers adopt eco-friendly agroforestry practices
What happened
Susana Afrifa Ankrah, a cocoa farmer from Ghana’s Atewa Range, is part of the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP), which launched in 2019. This initiative trains farmers to grow cocoa agroforestry-style, incorporating native trees like African mahogany that provide shade, protect soil moisture, and improve crop success. The GCFRP channels international funding to local forest communities in return for measurable progress in reducing deforestation and forest degradation.
The programme helps farmers transition from traditional slash-and-burn farming to sustainable techniques such as using organic fertilizers and composting. They also receive improved hybrid cocoa seedlings that thrive in shaded environments. These changes improve cocoa yields and contribute to conserving the remaining tropical forest, home to rare birds, monkeys, butterflies, and medicinal plants used by local herbalists.
Why it feels good
Susana knows firsthand the benefits that the forest brings—not just in environmental services like fresh air, cooler land, and rainfall regulation, but also in supporting the community’s health through medicinal plants. Protecting the forest around her farm means a more stable and fertile land where cocoa can grow better and yields are more reliable.
This approach brings hope as it helps farmers like Susana sustain their livelihoods while tackling climate change. It fosters harmony between nature and farming, showing that protecting biodiversity and improving human well-being can go hand in hand. It also empowers women farmers who embrace these new practices with enthusiasm, playing a critical role in environmental stewardship and community resilience.
What to enjoy or watch next
Keep an eye on the expanding impact of agroforestry programs like the GCFRP across Ghana and other cocoa-producing countries. These greener farming methods may serve as a global model for balancing economic needs and environmental protection, especially in tropical forest regions.
For those interested in sustainable agriculture and climate solutions, following stories of local leaders like Susana offers inspiring insight into practical actions making a difference. Future updates may reveal new innovations in shade-grown crops, community-led conservation efforts, and the wider benefits of preserving forests for future generations.