On Friday, March 21, 2025, Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, launched the ‘Tree for Life’ initiative, a flagship government program aimed at promoting afforestation and agroforestry. The initiative will see the government distribute seven million seedlings of ornamental and food crops by various government agencies, the private sector, and the general public for planting.
The ‘Tree for Life’ initiative seeks to raise awareness about the critical role trees play in protecting the environment, combating climate change, restoring lands and rivers degraded by illegal mining (galamsey), and inspiring Ghanaian youth to embrace environmental stewardship.
Speaking at a ceremony in Nkawie in the Ashanti Region, President Mahama reiterated his commitment to environmental protection. He revealed that he had directed the Minister of Environment to begin the process of repealing LI 2462 which was successfully laid before Parliament on Thursday March 20, and is expected to mature in 21 days, following which the power of the President to authorize mining in forest reserves will be a thing of the past.
“Our efforts to protect Ghana’s environment go beyond combating illegal mining. We are also focused on reclaiming degraded lands,” President Mahama stated. He cited a successful pilot project that restored 16 hectares of land and plans to scale this up to 500 acres of reclaimed land annually, with a short-term goal of reclaiming 10,000 hectares.
The President explained that the ‘Tree for Life’ initiative is part of a broader strategy to rehabilitate river bodies damaged by illegal mining. He also shared that Ghana is set to begin exporting Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT)-licensed timber by June 2025. This milestone will make Ghana the first African country and the second globally, after Indonesia, to achieve FLEGT certification – a feather in the cap for Ghana’s climate change actions
“The FLEGT initiative ensures that only sustainably sourced timber is imported into the European Union, combating illegal logging and promoting sustainable forest management,” President Mahama explained. “This achievement underscores our commitment to the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals – a commitment by countries to limit average global temperatures to below 2degree Celsius. “As we approach the 2030 deadline, we must accelerate our efforts to meet climate and biodiversity targets.”
President Mahama described the ‘Tree for Life’ initiative as more than just an environmental program. “It is about hope, resilience, and a sustainable future”
In his address, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, provided an overview of the initiative, emphasizing its timelines in advancing global ecological protection efforts. He announced that, in the coming months, the government was set to launch a massive sensitization campaign to educate Ghanaians about the importance of trees.
Hon. Buah issued a clarion call to all Ghanaians and the diplomatic community to support the initiative. “The Forestry Commission and partnering institutions will provide seedlings to all participants. The success of this initiative is dependant on the collective action of all. “Let us all rise to the challenge, plant trees, nurture them, and ensure that Ghana becomes a beacon of environmental resilience.Together, we will make Ghana green, vibrant, and sustainable for future generations.”
The Minister also touted the initiative’s potential to create jobs and reduce unemployment. “We will collaborate with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to create sustainable livelihoods through fish farming, pig farming, apiculture, and agroforestry schemes. These efforts will improve rural livelihoods and enhance food security.”
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, lauded the initiative and pledged the full cooperation of the Ashanti Region.
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