President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring Ghana’s forests and environment, by launching the Tree for Life initiative at Nkawie, in the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
According to him, the initiative is designed to rehabilitate degraded lands, mitigate climate change, and restore polluted water bodies to their natural state.
In his address, the President said the project will initially reclaim 16 hectares of land, with a target of expanding it to 500 acres annually and a long-term goal of restoring 10,000 hectares.
He also highlighted the job creation potential of the initiative, stating that it would generate thousands of employment opportunities.
Describing the initiative as a “project of hope, resilience, and a path to a sustainable future,” he emphasized that the government alone cannot achieve this goal. He called on Traditional Authorities, as custodians of the land, to support the initiative, urged the private sector to take responsibility, and encouraged students and youth to actively participate by planting trees in their schools and communities.
As part of efforts to accomplish the Tree for Life Initiative, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), Emmanuel Armah Kofi Duah, during the launch, announced that June will officially be observed as “Make Ghana Green Month”. “During the rainy season in the first week of June 2025, the President will lead the nation in a nationwide tree-planting exercise which will continue throughout June and Mid- July” he emphasized.
He added that the Forestry Commission and collaborating institutions will provide seedlings to all who wish to participate in the tree-planting exercise.
According to the Minister, the Tree for Life initiative was introduced by the President on the International Day of Forests, not only to mark the occasion and raise awareness about the importance of forests but also to outline the government’s commitment to large-scale, landscape restoration.
He detailed that the initiative aims to rehabilitate areas heavily degraded by illegal mining and deforestation, transforming them into ecologically functional landscapes, raise awareness about the importance of tree planting and conservation, especially to children and the youth by instilling the value of tree planting, nurturing and environmental stewardship, enhancing urban greening by planting in cities, promoting sustainable livelihoods by creating green jobs in agroforestry, ecotourism, fish farming, and apiculture.
Hon. Duah emphasized that the initiative will promote sustainable forest management, conservation, and reforestation as a response to critical environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, pollution of water bodies, climate change, and land degradation. He urged all Ghanaians to actively participate, noting that the success of this project depends on collective national efforts.
“Let us all rise to the challenge, plant trees, nurture them, and ensure that Ghana becomes a beacon of environmental resilience”, he encouraged.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, expressed his enthusiasm and gratitude for hosting such an important event in his region. He praised Asante’s rich natural heritage, citing the Owabi Butterfly Sanctuary and Kumasi Zoo as key ecological treasures. He also pledged his full support for the initiative, emphasizing its significance in preserving Ghana’s natural resources.
As Ghana embarks on this ambitious journey to restore its forests and environment, citizens are encouraged to embrace the spirit of tree planting and contribute to a greener, healthier future for generations to come.
