Esther Antwi

Ghanaian environmental activist who pioneered community-driven reforestation in West Africa

Esther Antwi (born 1975) is a Ghanaian environmental leader whose work with the Green Earth Ghana initiative has transformed deforestation rates in the Ashanti region. Starting with a single tree nursery in 2003, she developed a model where local communities earn income through tree planting, creating over 15 million trees by 2020. Her approach combines traditional knowledge with modern agroforestry techniques, establishing the first carbon credit program managed directly by rural women's cooperatives. Antwi's work has been featured in National Geographic's Climate Solutions series and inspired similar projects across 12 African countries. She currently serves as UN Environment Programme advisor for youth-led conservation efforts.