Ghana Timber Exports Earn 260 Million Dollars in 2025
Forestry Commission reports significant revenue from timber and wood product sales, contributing to the national economy amidst ongoing reforestation efforts.
Dr. Nana Asare | StatsGH |
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The country supplied a total volume of 952,000 cubic metres of timber and timber products. These products went to both local and international markets last year. This income directly supported government revenues and economic growth.
This substantial earning highlights the critical role of Ghana's forestry sector in the national economy. Forests cover about 27 per cent of Ghana's land area, roughly 6.4 million hectares. The sector directly or indirectly provides livelihoods for 20 per cent of Ghana's population. This includes food security and healthcare needs.
“Forests remained critical to Ghana's socioeconomic development,” Mr Brown stated. He spoke at the launch of the 2026 Tree for Life (T4L) Reforestation Initiative in Accra. The initiative coincided with World Environment Day. It focused on the global theme: 'Inspired by Nature, For Climate for Our Future.'
The forestry sector provides direct and indirect employment for approximately 800,000 people. This includes jobs in logging, timber processing, and furniture manufacturing. It also covers plantation development, ecotourism, herbal medicine practice, and forest management. Ecotourism sites within wildlife parks and forest reserves attracted 800,000 visitors, an increase of over 20 per cent.
Despite these economic benefits, deforestation and forest degradation pose a persistent threat. Mr Brown expressed concern about this issue, especially in the high forest zone. This trend endangers biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and forest-dependent communities. Protecting Ghana's forests is crucial for future generations.
The Forestry Commission addressed these challenges through their Tree for Life Initiative. In 2025, they restored 23,600 hectares of degraded lands through enrichment planting. They also planted 1.9 million seedlings under the amenity planting programme. An additional 2.1 million seedlings were established on farms. In total, 30.8 million tree seedlings were planted across Ghana.
Survival assessments show encouraging results. Seedling survival rates ranged from 65 to 85 per cent in the high forest zone. Rates were 40 to 78 per cent in the northern savannah ecological zone. For 2026, the Commission aims to plant another 30 million seedlings. This will be in collaboration with private sector partners.
The Commission is also strengthening forest governance. They are reviewing the Forestry Commission Act. They are introducing payment-for-ecosystem-services schemes. Enhanced ecotourism investments and forest protection camps are also part of their plans. These efforts aim to secure Ghana’s forests for future economic stability.