The largest indigenous tree nursery facility in Africa has been inaugurated at Bassengele, a farming community near Bibiani in the Western North region of Ghana.

The facility, which has the capacity to produce 5 million indigenous seedlings annually, features a cutting-edge irrigation system with almost half a million dollars' worth of investment committed.

Rainforest Builder Ghana Limited, owners of the facility, are prioritising nature through the restoration of degraded forest lands in Africa, especially in Ghana.

With a current workforce of 600 and capacity to increase to 900, the company, through its Akwaaba Project, has so far restored more than 1,500 hectares of degraded forests across the Upper Wassa, Anhwiaso South, and Anhwiaso East Forest Reserves in less than 2 years.

“Rainforest Builder Ghana Ltd - the company I have the privilege to lead - was established in 2023 to implement our flagship initiative: Project Akwaaba, based out of Bibiani", General Manager, Enver Mapanda, said at an inauguration ceremony on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

In just 18 months, we've restored more than 1,500 hectares of degraded forest across the Upper Wassaw, Anhwiaso South, and Anhwiaso East Forest Reserves. Over 10,000 kg of seeds collected from native mother trees. 700,000 seedlings raised across 18 indigenous species.”

The company, in partnership with the Forestry Commission as part of its long-term commitment, hopes to restore 2,000 hectares of degraded land, with 350 hectares expected to be restored in June 2025 as part of the Tree for Life initiative championed by President John Dramani Mahama.

The company has, over time, mastered the collection and harvest of over 10,000 kilograms of seeds collected from 22 native tree species.

Among the indigenous commercial tree species targeted by Rainforest Builder are mahogany, Wawa, Amire, and Odum.

The General Manager, Enver Mapanda, said the company is on a mission to reverse decades of deforestation through aggressive reforestation.

“With a production capacity of 5 million seedlings per year and a state-of-the-art- art irrigation system, this nursery here in Bassengele is now the largest native tree nursery in Africa. We can be proud. Each day, more than 60 people, many from the surrounding communities work here. This facility is the foundation of our growing operation. After all, without healthy seedlings, how can we restore healthy forests? This new capacity enables us to aim higher. In 2025, we will restore 2,000 hectares of degraded forest- double what we planted last year.

In June alone, we will restore 350 hectares contributing to the Tree for Life initiative-- a national program championed by His Excellency, the President of Ghana.”

Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Dr Hugh Brown, applauded the government-private sector collaboration and applauded the contribution of Rainforest Builder.

“What we are seeing today is a private sector contribution. Out of the 30 million, we expect close to about 40 per cent would be contributed by the private sector. And this is evidence that it’s not just talk- when government supports the private sector and partners with the private sector, we are able to achieve more.”

He tells journalists the government’s Tree for Life initiative is an indication the government is serious about reforestation, as 14,000 hectares of degraded lands are to be restored through modified Tonja, enrichment plantation, among others.

Meanwhile, Rainforest Builder has promised to support the Tree for Life initiative with 10,000 seedlings this year alone.

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