Ghana has struck a landmark $25bn agreement with the private sector to combat climate change and drive sustainable development, marking one of the largest nature-based initiatives globally.

The Ghana Green Guard Initiative, a collaboration between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), developer CarbonPura, and Private Sector Participation in Health (PSPH), aims to restore degraded ecosystems, enhance water security, and generate revenue through carbon financing and biodiversity monetisation.

The initiative is expected to produce more than 305mfn high-quality carbon credits over 25 years, generating an estimated $10.4bn in revenue.

EPA Chief Executive Officer Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse described the deal as a “milestone in Ghana’s environmental journey,” emphasising its potential to transform both environmental conservation and socio-economic development.

“This ambitious initiative will not only protect our water bodies but also empower women, children, and vulnerable communities,” she said in a statement issued March 27.

The project aligns with Ghana’s net-zero ambitions and the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, positioning the West African nation as a leader in global climate action.

Under the initiative, more than 12mn hectares of land will be restored through reforestation, regenerative agriculture, coastal restoration, and efforts to curb illegal mining.

International institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania Museum, the Getty Research Institute, and Google Arts & Culture, will collaborate on the project, strengthening its scientific and technological foundations.