Since 2008, the Republic of Ghana has implemented activities for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+). These actions include establishing a multi-purpose national forest monitoring system (NFMS) to improve land use monitoring capacities in the country. Development of Ghana's NFMS strengthens the accessibility and accuracy of forest-related data for meeting national and international climate targets. This case study may serve as an example to other countries implementing NFMS, as it describes the purpose of an NFMS, the design, related stakeholders and other actors, as well as the challenges and successes experienced in Ghana.