The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has called on residents to actively participate in the “Tree for Life” initiative, a national afforestation campaign spearheaded by the Government of Ghana to combat deforestation and promote environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the official launch of the initiative at Kongo Senior High School in the Nabdam District, the Regional Minister underscored the critical role tree planting plays in preserving the environment, sustaining agriculture, and securing livelihoods.
“As the saying goes, when the last tree dies, the last human being dies. I urge each one of us to take this project seriously by planting trees in our homes and communities to support this laudable initiative,” Mr. Atanga stated.
The Tree for Life Ghana campaign aims to plant millions of trees across the country, with a specific target of 500,000 trees for the Upper East Region. The exercise, which runs from June 5 to June 30, forms part of Ghana’s broader climate resilience strategy and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
David Kwaku Appiagyei, the Upper East Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, encouraged residents to visit local Forestry Commission offices to collect free tree seedlings for planting.
“This is a collective responsibility. Trees are life, and everyone can make an impact by planting and nurturing at least one tree,” Mr. Appiagyei emphasized.
The launch also saw participation from Dr. Justice Aduko, Project Manager for Blue Deal Ghana at the White Volta Basin Secretariat, who joined the tree planting exercise. Dr. Aduko reinforced the message that tree planting is not just an environmental duty but a life-saving action, especially for regions vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The initiative has received broad support from students, local leaders, and civil society, all of whom recognize the urgency of reversing land degradation and restoring biodiversity in Ghana’s Upper East Region.
As global temperatures rise and climate patterns shift, community-based tree planting campaigns like ‘Tree for Life’ offer a scalable, nature-based solution to mitigate these effects while improving agricultural productivity and enhancing local livelihoods.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|David Azure|Bolgatanga
