LATEST NEWS

Our managed plantations with maintained fire-rides are wildlife corridors for #nature.
Through good forest governance, and forest education, we are protecting old growth trees from illegal logging and wildfire, whilst growing millions of new trees.
#WorldNatureConversationDay🦋🇬🇭

Very impressive growth rates in our newly established compartments, planted in late 2020.
#Teak, being a pioneer species, needs reduced competition for light in early years. Regular weeding and maintenance is carried out to ensure successful stand development. #NetZeroWeek2021

Healthy, growing trees are the ultimate carbon capture and storage machines. Fixing carbon through year-round growth in the Ghanaian climate, perfect for #Teak.
We encourage understory vegetation that plays a vital role in regulating soil carbon and nitrogen.
#NetZeroWeek2021🇬🇭🇬🇧

Healthy young trees planted out in November 2020. The @MajorEquipment Cyclone mowers are the perfect machines for management, and maintaining plantation margins for biodiversity. Nutrients are being returned to the topsoil and combustible material is mulched.
Working with nature.

Truly #sustainable timber grown on degraded former forest land. Legal wood #trade helps fight deforestation and climate change while improving livelihoods.
Delivering real environmental benefits and financial returns.
#AlwaysGrowing #coppice #TrustedTimber #BenefitShare #FLEGT🇬🇭

Forestry operations create a wide range of opportunities.
Providing much needed #youth employment and skills training that are inclusive. Growing a team who care about creating a resilient, sustainable environment. #forests #future #timber #benefitshare #SDGs #tradebeyondaid🇬🇭

Establishing a nitrogen-fixing cover crop between young trees is a good strategy to minimise #soil erosion. Understory vegetation and grasses add to the #carbon enrichment and soil fertility, maintaining the nutrient supply crucial for sustaining productivity.
#greengrowth #SDGs

We take a multifaceted approach to our commercial forestry operations. By investing in sustainable land management of degraded former forestland we are breathing life back into soils, communities and habitats. #Regeneration through #reforestation now and for future #generations🇬🇭

Good #forestry and #farming practices stand the test of time. Ensuring yields are #sustainable and maximised, benefits of sustainable land management are intertwined with the #environment, human needs and #commerciality.
Thinking in life cycles, as opposed to election cycles.

Through constant and careful stand #management, we are able to extract significant amounts of high-quality #timber with low-impact. We regard #ecosystem services as the production capital of the forest by adopting a continuous cover #forestry approach.
#resilience #AlwaysGrowing

#Coppicing can be traced back to Neolithic times (ca.4500 BC). Late Stone Age man knew how to manage a sustainable source of #timber.
With good #silviculture practices, coppiced stands can produce immense volumes over time. Rapidly growing trees can efficiently sequester #carbon.

As part of our commitment to biodiversity, 6,000 #indigenous Terminalia superba seedlings have been germinated.
Their flowers attract pollinators like #bees and flies. The bark is used in #traditional medicine as a treatment for wounds, malaria, ovarian problems and bronchitis.

Reforestation of degraded #forest land is an important part of tackling climate change and, if done right, it can support biodiversity and human wellbeing too. #Plantations can be part of the solution.
Sharing our landscape with nature, #ForNature.
#SDGs🇬🇭#BiodiversityDay2021

Permanent sample plots provide long-term datasets for growth and yield monitoring, mean tree sizes, stand volume, carbon sequestration figures and growth projections. The extrapolated data is used for #timber supply analysis and influences sustainable forest management decisions.

A benefit of managed #plantations is safeguarding remaining old growth trees. Our security team and employees protect these majestic trees that form a crucial part of the landscape for biodiversity and climate change.
Happy #ThickTruckTuesday🇬🇭

We only consider a #tree planted once it has done at least a full 12 months in the ground and is thriving.
#Management and #maintenance need to be ongoing to ensure best tree survival rates following planting out from the nursery.

Knowledge and #skillsharing maximises productivity, efficiency and profitability through developing industry competent staff.
The benefits of mentoring are myriad. Providing decent opportunities for #ForestryJobs and contributing to #RuralEmployment.
#plantations #SDGs🇬🇭

Our #climatechange action began >10yrs ago planting and growing a sustainable timber business. Dialogue with communities, chiefs, and scientists began >15yrs ago. Despite challenges, we continue to deliver a sustainable business creating real world solutions to #SDGs #BeyondAid🇬🇭

Many of our female employees are skilled in pruning Teak to grow stronger, better formed, and healthier.

Light penetration enables tree and vegetation growth, thus enriching the soil and providing an understory for habitats.
#RuralJobs #benefitshare #GrowWithGhana🇬🇭

#Satellite data for #forestry is useful when coupled with knowledge on the ground e.g. #tree height, MAI, species, density and maturity, vegetation, soil quality, fire damage, encroachment.
With deciduous stands, leaf flush, leaf tinting and leaf fall are also important factors.

Commercially growing teak interwoven with tracts of natural vegetation enhances #biodiversity.

Within our #plantation, riparian strips are earmarked for water and biodiversity protection as well as designated conservation areas.

Contract growing timber #sustainably.

Low-tech forestry, combined with holistic land management practices, will yield multiple benefits.

Healthy forests support a wide range of services for ecosystems and livelihoods. By #coexisting with nature we appreciate what healthy soils and trees provide.

#WorldEarthDay2021

Formative #pruning from an early age is important to help develop tree form, removing double leaders and malformed stems.

Subsequent pruning is undertaken to improve value and marketability, removing defects to produce high-quality knot-free #timber of even grain and texture.

Low impact thinning minimises soil disturbance, and through good coppice management we maintain a healthy #growing environment.

Sustainably managing lands means providing for the present and for future generations in a changing climate.

#SDGs #BSA #SoilHealth #resilience #FLEGT

This majestic Ceiba pentandra, with spiky bole, is one of many different tree species that form an important part of our #plantation landscape.

Ensuring existing and new trees can continue to #grow and benefit the #community and #nature for generations.

#morethantimber #REDD🇬🇭

Kudos to Eric and his team, helping those in need with food and essentials. By helping Eric grow his business, he in turn is giving where it’s needed and where it counts. #LeaveNoOneBehind

“Together for a fairer, healthier world”. #WHD2021

#inspiration #community #SDGs🇬🇭

Plantation diversity can be enhanced by creating understory environmental conditions comparable to natural forest. Improving soil conditions of degraded forestland through increased organic matter and litter production 🍃🍂🌿

#SoilHealth #vegetation #ecosystem #SDG15🇬🇭

Read the latest @itto_sfm TTM report:
"Firm demand for Ghana billets"
https://www.itto.int/files/user/mis/MIS_16-31_Mar2021.pdf

#Sustainably and specifically grown #timber for the export market.

#BenefitShare🇬🇭#FLEGT-VPA #TIDD

Planting season is fast approaching again. Thanks to our intensive nursery management and automated irrigation our plants will soon be ready for the field.

Working to natures rhythm. #AlwaysGrowing 🌱🌳

The successful cycle of #thinning and #coppicing ensures a sustainable supply of #timber for generations.

Preventing soil erosion and minimising disturbance is important in maintaining a healthy #growing environment.

#vegetation #habitats #SDG15 #SLM #timber #AlwaysGrowing🇬🇭

Our pruning teams following best practice. Proper pruning with the right tools is essential in developing trees with strong structure and desirable form. Improving tree health and stand quality.

#silviculture #Teak #GreenJobs #education #benefitshare🇬🇭#alwaysgrowing #FLEGT

Sustainably grown, legally sourced tropical hardwoods have an important part to play in the world advancing toward a circular economy.

The natural alternative to concrete, steel and plastics.

Combining #nature and #nurture.

#Teak #SRC #carbon #resilience #SDGs #FLEGT

Sustainably managed plantations produce goods and services for sustainable development, improving the livelihoods of rural communities.

Using correct land management practices ensures the land can look after us now and for future generations.

#SoilHealth #Timber #IntlForestDay

We are growing a valued, highly skilled team to ensure our machinery is serviced and running smoothly 365.

Training individuals to be technically skilled mechanics and forestry operators, among other professions.

#employment #skills #SDGs #youth #apprenticeships

Using the last of the dry season to put in new roads and maintain existing network. Critical to operations all year round.

Access roads and firebreaks form an important part of our maintenance and monitoring programme at Afram.

#sustainable #forest #management #infrastructure

Replenishing thinned stands of timber through sustainable rotational coppicing. Allowing light to transmit through the canopy, enabling growth of understory species and maintaining a healthy habitat environment.

#SoilHealth #vegetation #biodiversity #SDGs🇬🇭

Increasing #community awareness to important environmental issues like soil erosion, soil fertility, flooding, runoff, carbon absorption as well as forest fires.

#sustainable #vegetation #landmanagement #FLEGT #education #SDGs🇬🇭

Keeping a healthy supply of beat-up stock in the nursery, ready to replace any failed or struggling new planting.

Successful establishment is not just about planting. Tree #planting figures need to accurately match tree #growing figures.

#Reforestation should deliver benefits that strike a balance between wood products, carbon capture, human wellbeing and nature. Understanding the drivers of deforestation is vital to successful #restoration.

#SoilHealth #biodiversity #SDGs #community #education #ClimateChange

Ensuring fire-rides and access roads are maintained during the dry season. At this time of year, dry Harmattan weather and high temperatures support intense wildfires. As wildfires are primarily human-caused, fire #prevention, #education and #training are of extreme importance.

Working together to halt illegal logging, our security guards patrol the forest 24/7. They report or arrest illegal operators as officers of the forest and are good neighbours.

Legal, #sustainable timber needs to be the only #timber allowed to market.

#LegalTimber #SRA #FLEGT

Delighted to welcome Frederick Dadzie to our #growing team.

Frederick is a highly competent, versatile mechanical engineer. Qualified and equipped with relevant experience to develop our #apprenticeship training and further implement health and safety procedures.

#skillsforlife

Proud to have funded the operational and maintenance repairs to broken boreholes and hand-pumps that serve the Boayaase Community🇬🇭.

Access to safe, drinking water is critical to human #health and #development.

#SDGs #LeaveNoOneBehind #TIDD #BSA #SRA

With demand for timber expected to quadruple over the next 3️⃣ decades, the commodity will play a vital role in the international marketplace.

Generating margin in the most #productive and #sustainable way.

#employment #longterm #SDGs #BSA #SRC #trade #hardwood #teak #FLEGTVPA🇬🇭

Reduced-impact logging minimises the environmental impact on forest stands and #soils. Short rotation coppicing ensures we are always growing and habitats remain.

Sustainably managed forests can better adapt to #climatechange.

#ecosystems #resilience #bioeconomy #SDGs

Well-timed pruning of #teak is one of the most important
#silvicultural interventions. When carried out effectively, and at regular intervals, formative #pruning is critical to improving the economic #value of the stand.

#treehealth #CarbonSequestration #benefitsharing
#SDG15 🇬🇭

Employing women in roles vital to forestry value chains is important not only for rural livelihoods but for the well-being of their households.

Nature knows when we care. 🌱💚🌱💚🌱💚

#resilience #SDGs #soilhealth #climatechange #womeninforestry #RiseforAll #forestryfriday

Staff development is an integral part of our project development. Providing technical training and applying #sustainable forestry management practices, ensuring #skills and #knowledge can be shared. #GrowinGhana #GrowwithGhana #GreenJobs #SDGs

Observing healthy regrowth from coppiced #Teak trees. Optimal shoots are selected from the stumps for onward growing. Minimal #soil disturbance from timber extraction, leaving root network intact.#ecosystems #ForestHealth
#SRC #silviculture #alwaysgrowing #sustainable

Air dried #timber in our log yard off-reserve ready to billet. Providing a turnkey solution, delivering returns through sustainable forestry management in a holistic manner. #AlwaysGrowing #SRC #reforestation #greengrowth #buylegaltimber #benefitshare 🇬🇭#SDGs

Carrots and beetroots are just some of the food we grow alongside teak seedlings in the nursery. Ensuring our employees, casual staff and their families, have access to fresh nutritious food year-round. Making #sustainableLiving commonplace.
#healthbenefits #selfsufficient #SDGs

Our nursery irrigation system is proving invaluable, with 2021 off to a #growing start.

✅Irrigating germination beds
✅70,000 soil filled bags awaiting germinated seeds for transplant
✅50,000 transplanted seedlings
✅32,000 seedlings ready for the field

#AlwaysGrowing🌱🌳🌱🌳

Proud to be supporting local startups in the community. Eric now employs 3 full-time staff in the Ofinso Quarters and Eric's sister has just started her own business as a direct result. #opportunities #growinghana🇬🇭 #growwithghana #greenjobs #communitymatters

However good the nature #genetics, nurture #silviculture is fundamentally important. #Sustainable #forest #management has multiple health and well-being benefits for people and trees.
#SRC #SDGs #FLEGT #ThursdayThoughts

#Commercial thinning operations are determined by the size of the trees, site fertility and how dense the stand is. Continuing to deliver our products, services and the values necessary to sustain our forests for a #resilient future. Always #growing. #GreenJobs #SFM #SRC #SDGs

Reflecting on a challenging 2020, we have continued to #grow the business in Ghana and the U.K. We would like to say a huge #ThankYou to all our staff, syndicate and contract growing clients, our suppliers and our buyers for their continued #support. Delivering a superb year!🌳🇬🇭

Today, we pause our #forestry operations as it is a taboo day (these vary by district). Respecting #indigenous and #cultural beliefs is part and parcel of our sustainable forest management at Afram. Keeping traditions alive is enshrined in our growth.
#Ashanti🇬🇭#respect

Ghana's Forest Plantation Strategy Annual Report 2019 is now available to read online: https://www.fcghana.org/library_info.php?doc=126&publication:GHANA%20FOREST%20PLANTATION%20STRATEGY%20-%20ANNUAL%20REPORT%202019

Proud to be a continuing part of Ghana's growth🌱🌳🇬🇭 #PrivatePlantationDeveloper #Commercial #BenefitSharing #reforestation #carbon #greenjobs #SDGs #TimberTrade

Extraction of thinning #timber is going well. Quality and size of our 2011 planted #teak is impressive. With good silviculture we are producing straight boles with minimum knots. Promoting sustainable forest management.
Happy #ForestryFriday!
#GrowingtheUseofWood #GreenJobs #SRC

In #Ghana apprenticeship training has long been recognised as an important means of skills acquisition. Providing on-the-job training opportunities to gain transferrable #skills. #Development in all areas of plantation forestry. We learn together, we grow together.
#SDGs🇬🇭

2021's planting currently thriving in our nursery. Selected seeds from seed orchards results in better form, growth rate, superior characteristics and #planthealth. Optimising growth through Ghana's tropical #climate and our irrigation methods. #AlwaysGrowing #TimberTuesday #Teak

Successful climate-smart forestry has to strike the right balance between short and long term goals. We need to appreciate that #social and #ecological interests are inextricably intertwined.
#Teak #resilience #SFM #SoilHealth #SDGs #Timber #Trade #GreenJobs #AlwaysGrowing #SRC

Introducing graded and selected #seed into our in-house nursery for 2021 planting. First #germination figures are excellent, in the order of 85%.🌱🌱🌱 #AlwaysGrowing #provenance #FORIG #SDGs #timber #quality🇬🇭

Managing soils so they are sustainable for future generations. Restoring degraded lands through sustainable reforestation. A healthy soil is a living soil.
#mulching #nutrients #ecosystems #vegetation #biodiversity #planthealth #productivity #WorldSoilDay

Landscape #restoration should enhance and diversify local livelihoods. Providing jobs, training and income to #forest communities. A modern addition to a #traditional way of life.🇬🇭

#AlwaysGrowing #SDGs #Reforestation #Afram

Excited to welcome Graham Preece to the management team. As Mere’s new Head of Forestry, Graham will be splitting his expertise and wealth of experience between the U.K. and Ghana.

#Sustainability #ecology #tropicalforestry #GreenJobs #reforestation #ForestManagement

Thinning and pruning, if carried out judiciously, improves wood quality with fewer knots and bends, less taper and more heartwood. #valueadding #forestry #plantations #Teak #sustainable #Timber #Trade #FLEGT-VPA #SDGs

From drone flying to a geography lesson on the steps of Aggie Serwaa Hotel, Ofinso 🇬🇭. We learn together, we grow together. Knowledge sharing from our own experiences is often the best way to learn and to teach. Next generation of foresters. Happy #ForestryFriday

That was then - 2011🌱
This is now - 2020🌳

Delivering financial returns through timber #trade whilst creating growth opportunities for rural economic development.

#betterwithforests #CarbonSequestration
#plantation #people #prosperity #planet #SDGs #GrowinGhana #GrowwithGhana

With #plantations operational 365 days a year, it's important to keep machinery and vehicles in good working order. Providing relevant training, harnessing full productivity of equipment. #MechanicMonday #maintenance #Sustainable #Forestry #GreenJobs