Ghana Launches Ambitious ‘Tree for Life’ Initiative to Combat Climate Change
By Isaac Okyere
Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has launched the ‘Tree for Life’ initiative, a flagship afforestation and agro-forestry program aimed at protecting the environment and combating climate change.
The initiative seeks to distribute seven million seedlings of ornamental and food crops for planting by government agencies, the private sector, and the general public.
Speaking at the launch in Nkawie, Ashanti Region, President Mahama emphasized the importance of environmental protection, highlighting the government’s efforts to reclaim degraded lands and restore river bodies damaged by illegal mining.
He also announced Ghana’s commitment to exporting Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT)-licensed timber by June 2025, making it the first African country to achieve this milestone.
The Initiative aim at raising awareness about the importance of trees in protecting the environment Combat climate change by means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Restoring degraded lands_ and river bodies damaged by illegal mining as well Promoting sustainable forest management.
On his part, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, emphasized the timeliness of the initiative, which aligns with global efforts to protect the ecology.
He called on all Ghanaians and the diplomatic community to support the initiative, which has the potential to create jobs and improve rural livelihoods.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, assured the full cooperation of the Ashanti Region, praising the initiative as a significant step towards environmental protection and sustainable development.
