President Mahama Launches ‘Tree for Life’ Campaign to Restore Ghana’s Degraded Lands

The nationwide Tree for Life programme officially began last Thursday, aiming to restore over seven million hectares of degraded land across Ghana. President John Dramani Mahama launched the month-long initiative by encouraging every Ghanaian to plant at least one tree in June.

To kick-start the campaign, the President planted a ceremonial tree at the Kwabenya Community Senior High School in Accra. The goal is to plant 30 million trees nationwide within the month.

The event brought together key national and international stakeholders, including government officials, traditional leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, and development partners, all united in their support for the environmental campaign.

“I entreat everyone in Ghana to actively participate in this important national task for the benefit of current and future generations,” President Mahama urged.

Launch of “One Child, One Tree”

Coinciding with World Environment Day, the event also marked the launch of the One Child, One Tree initiative, a major component of the Tree for Life programme. This initiative aims to involve students directly in reforestation efforts by providing each child with a seedling to plant and care for in schools or communities.

The programme was endorsed by several key ministers, including Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (Lands and Natural Resources), Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed (Environment, Science and Technology), Haruna Iddrisu (Education), and Abla Dzifa Gomashie (Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts). Also in attendance were CEOs of the Forestry Commission, Environmental Protection Authority, Members of Parliament, and other development partners.

President Mahama emphasized that the initiative is designed to foster a culture of environmental stewardship among the youth, ensuring each child contributes meaningfully to restoring the nation’s ecosystems.

A Step Towards Environmental Transformation

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu described the initiative as a transformative step towards cultivating eco-consciousness in students. He noted that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with other agencies, would oversee the distribution of seedlings to schools nationwide and introduce new educational modules focused on environmental sustainability.

Planting Strategy and Scope

Dr. Hugh Brown, CEO of the Forestry Commission, outlined the planting strategy, which includes urban areas, rural communities, school compounds, farmlands, riverbanks, and degraded forest reserves.

Tree planting by the general public will take place from June 5 to June 30. Additional components of the programme include:

Creation of 10,000 hectares of forest plantation through the Modified Taungya System (MTS), involving local communities.

Direct planting of 2,000 hectares by Youth Forest Champions.

Distribution of seedlings to farmers for agroforestry.

Reclamation of 500 hectares of mined-out lands.

Enrichment planting in degraded forest reserves.

Public Urged to Join the Cause

Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo urged Ghanaians to tackle environmental challenges such as plastic pollution and actively support the Tree for Life initiative.

“This is a national responsibility. Every Ghanaian must play a role in rejuvenating our environment for the benefit of future generations,” she said.