This report was written by Rahul Shah, a student researcher from the Yale School of the Environment, following his field visit to 3T’s 21-hectare pilot site in Akontombra, Ghana on June 20, 2025. 3T is honored to share his report on our platform.
A few days back, I had the pleasure of visiting the 3T Pilot Project site near Akontombra town in Ghana’s Western North Region. Formerly, I had met Mr Ian Shimizu-Pughe and Mr Solomon Yamoah as part of my role at Marubeni Corporation where I was the Sustainable Finance Officer for the Sub-Saharan Africa desk. Currently, my research into tropical agroforestry food systems has brought me to Ghana, where I am developing landscape finance models for delivering increased livelihoods to cocoa farmers while restoring sections of Ghana’s Upper Guinean Forest cover. Although my research does not explicitly touch on ARR methodologies, visiting 3T’s impressive pilot project enhanced my understanding of how effective landscape restoration can be conducted in this region.
I was met by Luck, the HR manager, in Akontombra and we travelled close by to the project site, amidst thick shrubbery and pockets of large native trees. At the site, we shook hands with Frank who was in charge on the ground and proceeded to walk through the plantation. To the untrained eye, the site looks like a plot of unkempt farmland, previously used to grow cocoa, plantain, cassava and oil palm. However, upon closer inspection, it is clear to see the work that 3T is doing.
The plots are organized into 3×3 and 3×4 compartments, covering a total of 21 hectares and seedlings are planted in interspaced rows across the leased property. The terrain is a mix of slightly elevated scrubland and low lying valleys which have become waterlogged (it is the start of Ghana’s rainy season). These varied features make this site a perfect testing ground for the larger project that 3T will commence in the Ashanti Region. Upon quick consultation with Frank as to what is being done with some of the underperforming or dying seedlings, he informed me that these have been deemed unsuitable for the particular location on the plot (i.e. waterlogged terrain, overabundance of shade, degraded soil or natural competition with neighboring trees). As part of the pilot project scope, the failed tree seedlings are then replaced with new untested species to monitor potential species selection improvements for particular area types. Moreover, I observed the team’s pruning and weed clearing practices first hand, moving across the compartments rotationally. All 17,000 tree seedlings are logged and tagged.
The species selection was of note, including only native species to the area noted by their local and scientific names, such as the notable Ghanaian species emire (Terminalia ivorensis), mahogany (Khaya ivorensis), mansonia (Mansonia altissima), odum (Milicia excelsia) and ofram (Terminalia superba). Lessor known species are also being tested, particularly in areas where the more well-known species have struggled. This highlights a strong scientific approach to species selection and planting.
As a wildlife enthusiast, the most exciting part of my visit was looking at the camera traps set across the site. I was shown a trap which has a motion sensor and a 10m range. Luck showed me some of the captured footage, revealing bushbuck, African civets and pardine genets. Hopefully, the project site will attract endangered species such as white-bellied pangolins and various primates back into the area.
Conducting reforestation activities in a region such as this is crucially important to the protection and sustainability of the Upper Guinean forest ecosystem. Illegal mining, the timber industry and tropical agriculture have all contributed to a high degree of forest loss, but 3T’s work will hopefully attract much-needed nature-based finance into these critical ecosystems. While still in its early days, the seedlings provide hope for not only flora and fauna, but also the surrounding communities who benefit economically and environmentally from such a project.
Interested in learning more about our work in Ghana? Feel free to reach out — we’d love to connect!
