The Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO) has launched its “Let’s Go Tree Planting Campaign” under the Water for Adaptation Project to restore degraded landscapes and strengthen climate resilience in the Upper East Region.
The campaign aims to plant 1,000 tree seedlings in the communities of Kandiga, Mirigu, Sirigu and Bongo, as well as in seven junior high schools, to combat desertification and promote environmental stewardship.
Within the first three days of implementation, GAYO planted 380 tree seedlings in three communities and six junior high schools with the participation of 30 teachers, traditional authorities and women leaders, who pledged to nurture the trees to maturity.
The campaign, which ran from June 30 to July 2, 2026, received 400 seedlings from the Navrongo Forestry Commission Division as part of its partnership with the Forestry Commission.
The seedlings included cassia, mahogany, cashew, mango, teak and umbrella trees, selected for their environmental and economic value.
At Atasige Junior High School in Mirigu, students and teachers planted 40 seedlings. Teachers also received additional seedlings to plant at their homes.
Headmistress Cecilia Felayire said the school was committed to maintaining the trees.
“We appreciate GAYO for this timely intervention and assure them that these trees will be properly cared for. We are also excited to participate in the upcoming Climate Resilience and Menstrual Hygiene Quiz Competition,” she said.
The campaign later expanded to Sirigu, where students and teachers at St. Joseph Junior High School, St. Peter’s Junior High School and Mother of Mercy Junior High School participated in tree planting and climate education activities. The schools also received fencing materials to protect the seedlings and were encouraged to compete for GAYO’s Best Tree Care Award.
The initiative also reached the Gunworkor Traditional Area in Sirigu, where women leaders, led by the Queen Mother of Gunworkor, Poanaba Freda Nyaaba I, pledged to care for 200 tree seedlings allocated to the community. The event featured climate education and awareness activities encouraging residents to reduce indiscriminate tree felling and support tree planting.
Drawing on her experience as a GAYO Community Climate Leader and participant at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Queen Mother called for community-led efforts to protect the environment.
“Protecting the environment begins in our communities. As women, we will work together to ensure these trees survive for future generations,” she said.
Project Lead Khadijah Azumah Braimah said the strong participation demonstrated communities’ willingness to take ownership of climate action.
“The enthusiasm shown by students, teachers, traditional leaders and women groups demonstrates that communities are prepared to lead climate action from the grassroots. Together, we can restore our environment, combat desertification and build a greener, more resilient Upper East Region,” she said.
The campaign supports Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions by promoting afforestation, restoring degraded land and increasing carbon sequestration. It also contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 11, 13, 15 and 17.
GAYO, however, identified inadequate water for irrigation, free-ranging livestock and limited funding as major challenges to sustaining the initiative. The organisation appealed to the government, development partners, corporate institutions and individuals to support the expansion of the campaign through funding, technical assistance and community partnerships.
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