About The Placement
Join our reforestation team and help restore native habitats by growing seedlings, planting trees and creating strips and patches of diverse vegetation. These living “green corridors” boost the local ecosystem by attracting pollinators, birds and other wildlife, and by turning degraded areas back into oases for biodiversity.
Why This Placement Matters
Ghana, like much of sub-Saharan Africa, is feeling the effects of climate change: erratic rainfall, extended dry seasons and once-lush forests giving way to savannah and grassland. This loss of tree cover has a huge impact on water sources, soil quality and the species that depend on them.
Working alongside the local Forestry Department and community partners, we focus on planting native species within forest reserves and along corridors between rural villages. These efforts improve connectivity between habitats, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and create natural buffers against erosion and flooding.
Many previous reforestation efforts in Ghana have focused on non-indigenous trees grown for timber or cash crops. Our approach, in collaboration with the Forestry Department, prioritises resilient native species and long-term ecosystem recovery while engaging local communities in stewardship and education.
Your contribution directly supports these efforts — every seedling nurtured and planted helps rebuild natural forest cover and link critical habitats.
What's Included
Shared volunteer accommodation in a modern
house in semi-rural Kwahu with views of surrounding forests. Utilities
such as electricity, running water, and kitchen facilities are provided.
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Airport pickup on arrival.
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Pre-departure support and access to our volunteer portal.
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24/7 in-country support, with a local team member living on-site or nearby depending on volunteer numbers.
Your contribution directly sustains this support structure,
enabling us to employ local staff and ensure volunteers have safe,
comfortable living conditions.
Getting to Your Placement
Volunteers generally use shared taxis to travel to their placement,
which are readily available and affordable. Our team will guide you on
routes, group transport, and local tips. Our main nursery and seedling site is located in Abetifi, however planting days may be further afield for example to Kwahu Tafo or Kotoso which will incur a higher travel cost.
Your Role
Depending on the season and stage of the project, you may:
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Grow and care for seedlings in the nursery.
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Join community planting days within forest reserves or along corridor sites between villages.
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Water and maintain young trees during the dry season.
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Help establish fire breaks and protect new plantings.
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Support the Forestry Department’s outreach work with local communities and schools on the benefits of forest conservation.
We usually operate the reforestation programme three days a week. On the other two working days, we arrange for our volunteers to help on our Community Farmer Support programme — lending a hand to small-scale farmers with mobility or health issues. If this isn’t suitable for you, we can place you on another Abetifi-based programme instead (Sports, Education, Plastics); just let us know before arrival so we can tailor your timetable.
Who You’ll Be Working With
You’ll work alongside fellow volunteers, our support team, sometimes Forestry Department staff and community members. At times you may also work independently on set tasks. A member of our volunteer support team will visit you periodically after the initial introduction to ensure you’re settled and making an impact.
Volunteer Expectations
All we ask for is passion and drive to make a difference. Some days involve manual labour in heat and humidity, so a willingness to get stuck in is important. The greatest traits of a volunteer are enthusiasm, empathy and the ability to adjust to new cultures.
We expect volunteers to attend placements Monday to Friday (with some flexibility for travel). This ensures continuity for the project and the communities we serve.
Our Commitment to You
We are on hand at any time to support you — whether you’d like help adjusting your timetable, joining another project on non-planting days, or planning weekend travel. Our local team at the volunteer house will also share insights on the area and Ghanaian life so you soon feel at home.
What to Bring
Bring at least one strong pair of shoes and full-length trousers or tracksuit bottoms for days in the forest or corridor sites. Fundraising for seedlings before arrival is a great way to hit the ground running and make a lasting impact. Any additional tools or small equipment for tree planting or nursery work are also welcome but not essential.
During School Holidays
Apart from the community outreach and education component, school holidays do not affect the reforestation programme — you’ll still be able to continue with nursery and planting work as normal.
