About Us | SOTE Ghana

Our Leadership

The Visionaries Behind SOTE

Two dedicated leaders with decades of combined experience in natural resource management, project coordination, and community empowerment — united by a shared commitment to Ghana's environmental future.

Co-Founder & Forestry Specialist

Mr. Raymond Agbontor

BSc Natural Resource Management, MBA Banking & Finance

With over 20 years in sustainable forest management and environmental governance, Raymond brings deep practical expertise to SOTE. As a District Manager with the Forest Services Division, he has led afforestation initiatives, plantation programs, and compliance operations across Ghana.

His career highlights include key roles in national afforestation efforts and community-based conservation. Passionate about responsible resource use, Raymond ensures SOTE's tree-planting and restoration work creates lasting ecological and social impact.

Co-Founder & Project Management Expert

Mr. Kow Essiriw Mensah, CPMC

Chartered Project Management Consultant (CPMC), BSc Natural Resource Management

Kow is a results-oriented leader with 15+ years managing complex environmental and development projects across Ghana. As a Chartered Project Management Consultant, he has coordinated multi-million-euro initiatives with government, international partners, and local communities.

His strength lies in turning policy into actionable, community-centered programs. At SOTE, Kow drives strategic planning, partnership building, and scalable solutions that ensure long-term sustainability in conservation, agriculture, and health education.

Mr. Kow Essiriw Mensah - Co-Founder & Project Leader

Our Story

Fighting for Ghana's Environment Since 2005

Soldiers of the Environment (SOTE) was founded in 2005 by a group of passionate environmentalists who witnessed the rapid degradation of Ghana's natural resources. What started as a small community initiative has grown into a recognized NGO making a significant impact across multiple regions of Ghana.

Our name reflects our commitment — we are soldiers in the fight to protect our environment. Every day, our dedicated team members work alongside local communities to plant trees, educate youth, promote sustainable farming, and deliver vital health programs.

Over the years, we have planted over 15,000 trees, reached 50+ communities, and trained thousands of farmers in sustainable practices. But our work is far from over — we continue to expand our reach and deepen our impact.

Our Purpose

Mission & Vision

🎯 Our Mission

To protect and restore Ghana's natural environment through community-driven conservation efforts, sustainable agriculture promotion, and comprehensive health education programs that empower local communities to become stewards of their environment.

🔭 Our Vision

A Ghana where thriving ecosystems and healthy communities coexist in harmony — where forests are expanding, farms are sustainable, and every citizen has access to vital health knowledge and a clean, green environment.

What Drives Us

Our Core Objectives

Everything we do is guided by these fundamental objectives that shape our programs and partnerships.

🌱

Restore & Protect

Actively restore degraded lands through tree planting campaigns and protect existing forests and water bodies from further destruction.

📚

Educate & Empower

Provide environmental and health education to communities, schools, and farmers to build a generation of informed environmental stewards.

🤝

Partner & Collaborate

Work alongside government agencies, international organizations, and local communities to maximize our collective impact.

🌍

Advocate & Influence

Advocate for environmentally-friendly policies and practices at local, regional, and national levels in Ghana.

💚

Sustain & Scale

Develop sustainable programs that can be replicated across Ghana and continue to deliver impact for generations to come.

👥

Include & Engage

Ensure that women, youth, and marginalized groups are central to our programs and decision-making processes.

What We Believe

Our Core Values

Integrity

We operate with transparency, honesty, and accountability in all our actions and communications.

Community First

Local communities are at the heart of everything we do. We listen, learn, and work alongside them.

Sustainability

We design programs that create lasting change, not just short-term results.

Passion

Our team is driven by a genuine love for Ghana's environment and its people.

Innovation

We embrace new ideas and approaches to solve environmental and health challenges.

Respect

We respect nature, local traditions, and the diverse perspectives of all stakeholders.

About SOTE