Ghana Launches ‘Tree for Life’ Initiative to fight Environmental Degradation

President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the groundbreaking ‘Tree for Life’ initiative on March 21, 2025, a national afforestation program focused on planting seven million trees to revive degraded lands and fight against climate change.

Presenting at the launch in the Ashanti Region, President Mahama stressed on the commitment to sustainable practices. He said that “This is not just about planting trees but fostering their growth, thrive and also focus on community well-being.” He also disclosed plans to abolish LI 2462, which is currently permitting he President to approve mining in forest reserves. “Once abolished, this will indicate a major milestone in protecting our forests,” he added.

The reason for launching this program is to deal with ecological concerns such as illegal mining (galamsey), which has critically destroyed our various river bodies and lands. An area of land has been severely degraded due to human activities which are 16 hectares of land.

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, emphasized how this program can create jobs through agroforestry and allied activities including seafood production and apian management. “This initiative will not only restore our environment but also provide sustainable livelihoods for rural communities,” he noted.

President Mahama again declared that Ghana would start exporting Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT)-licensed timber by June 2025, thus becoming the inaugural African country to attain this certification. He said that “This underscores our commitment to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.” It will also lead to global recognition.

The ‘Tree for Life’ Initiative requires a collaborative effort from all Ghanaians. “Let us all rise to the challenge, plant trees, nurture them, and ensure Ghana becomes a beacon of environmental resilience,” Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah remarked.

The initiative marks a significant milestone towards a greener Ghana, which will also ensure that there will a sustainable future for generations. Collective action is very important in combating environmental challenges. By working together as Ghanaians, we can overcome the collective action problem posed by climate change, aligning individual interests with the greater good.