The Government of Ghana has launched the 2026 edition of the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative with a target of planting 30 million tree seedlings nationwide, following the successful planting of more than 31 million trees in 2025.
The launch coincided with the celebration of World Environment Day at the West Africa Senior High School in Accra. The event was held under the global theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” and the Tree for Life theme, “Forests and Economies.”
Addressing the gathering on Friday June, 5, 2026, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Honourable Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said the two themes demonstrate that environmental protection and economic development are closely linked.
He noted that forests support agriculture, create jobs, protect water resources and contribute significantly to climate resilience and sustainable growth.
The Minister warned that Ghana continues to experience the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, flooding, droughts, coastal erosion and declining forest cover.
Climate change is no longer a future threat but a present reality requiring immediate and collective action”, Hon. Buah stressed.
Highlighting the achievements of the Tree for Life initiative, he announced that more than 31 million trees were planted across the country in 2025 through the efforts of government institutions, schools, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector.
Hon. Buah emphasised that the focus must go beyond planting trees to ensuring their survival.
“The true measure of success is not the number of seedlings planted but the number of trees that survive and mature”, he stated, urging institutions and individuals to nurture and protect the trees they plant.
*_Forestry Commission Highlights Economic Value of Forests_*
The Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Hugh Brown, said forests remain a major contributor to Ghana’s economy and livelihoods, with about 20 per cent of the population depending directly or indirectly on forest resources.
He disclosed that approximately about 31 million seedlings were planted under the 2025 Tree for Life initiative, while restoration activities covered more than 23,600 hectares of degraded landscapes.
He urged all Ghanaians to participate in this year’s exercise and support efforts to combat deforestation, illegal mining and forest degradation through sustainable forest management.
*_EPA Calls for Stronger Environmental Action and Enforcement_*
Delivering a speech on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Brown Klutse, Deputy CEO in charge of General Services, Dr. Jacob Paarechuga Anankware, described the Tree for Life initiative as a practical response to climate change and environmental degradation.
He said the EPA would continue to intensify action against illegal mining, pollution and environmental degradation while promoting sustainable waste management.
He also reiterated the planned ban on Styrofoam and polystyrene takeaway packaging from January 1, 2027, as part of efforts to tackle plastic pollution.
*_UNDP Reaffirms Support for Climate Resilience_*
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) commended Ghana for its commitment to environmental restoration and climate action, noting that the country has already planted over 30 million trees under the Tree for Life initiative.
The organisation also highlighted Ghana’s target of restoring two million hectares of degraded landscapes by 2030 and pledged continued support for programmes that promote forest restoration, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
The Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative was launched by President John Dramani Mahama in 2025 at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region as a flagship national programme to restore degraded lands, increase forest cover and strengthen Ghana’s response to climate change.
