We, the Government of Ghana – through the Minister of Land & Natural Resources - and undersigned companies, commit to work together to end deforestation and promote forest protection and restoration in the cocoa supply chain in Ghana through this Joint Framework for Action. The Framework builds on the Statement of Intent launched at a High - Level Meeting in London hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales in March 2017. It defines core commitments, verifiable actions, and timebound targets required for a deforestation-free and forest positive cocoa supply chain in Ghana. The Framework was developed through a multi-stakeholder process that brought together government, private sector, farmers and farmers’ organizations, national and international civil society organizations, development partners, and other stakeholders in Ghana and at the global level. It is structured around the following three themes: Forest protection and restoration: this covers the conservation and rehabilitation of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Wildlife Resource Reserves, Forest Reserves, and unprotected off-reserve forest lands; Sustainable production and farmers’ livelihood : this covers sustainable intensification and diversification of production in order to increase farmers’ yields and income and to reduce pressure on forests ; and Community engagement and social inclusion: this covers social safeguards through civil society and community engagement...By signing the Framework,Government and signatory companies agree to eight core commitments...Signatories recognize the critical importance of protecting Ghana forests and of restoring forests that have been previously degraded. They commit to the following: A.There will be no further conversion of any forest land (as defined under national regulations and using methodologies such as High Carbon Stock (HCS) and High Conservation Value (HCV) approach) for cocoa production as of 1 January 2018. B. There will be no production and sourcing of cocoa from National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Wildlife Resource Reserves, except from farms with existing legal status, as of 1 January 2018. C. A differentiated approach for Forest Reserves will be adopted by Government by 31 December 2018. It will be based on the following categories and will specify the number of hectares, timeline, roles and responsibilities, budget and fund-mobilization strategy for each category.