The government has set a target of planting 30 million tree seedlings nationwide under the 2026 edition of the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, following the successful planting of more than 31 million trees last year.

Mr Armah-Kofi Buah (left) watering a tree after planting it during the programme

The initiative was officially launched at the West Africa Senior High School in Accra on Friday to coincide with the celebration of World Environment Day.

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, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said the themes highlight the strong link between environmental protection and economic development.

He noted that forests support agriculture, create jobs, protect water resources and play a critical role in building climate resilience and promoting sustainable growth.

Mr Buah warned that Ghana continues to experience the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods, droughts, coastal erosion and declining forest cover.

“Climate change is no longer a future threat but a present reality requiring immediate and collective action,” he stressed.

Highlighting achievements under the initiative, the Minister said more than 31 million trees were planted across the country in 2025 through the combined efforts of government institutions, schools, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector.

He, however, 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 individuals and institutions to nurture and protect the trees they plant.

The Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Mr Hugh Brown, said forests remain vital to Ghana’s economy and livelihoods, with about 20 per cent of the population depending directly or indirectly on forest resources.

He disclosed that nearly 31 million seedlings were planted under the 2025 Tree for Life initiative, while more than 23,600 hectares of degraded land were restored.

Mr Brown urged Ghanaians to take part in this year’s exercise and support efforts to combat deforestation, illegal mining and forest degradation through sustainable forest management.

Delivering a speech on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Brown Klutse, the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of General Services, Dr Jacob Paarechuga Anankware, described the initiative as a practical response to climate change and environmental degradation.

He said the EPA would intensify action against illegal mining, pollution and environmental degradation, while promoting sustainable waste management.

He also reiterated plans to ban Styrofoam and polystyrene takeaway packaging from January 1, 2027, as part of efforts to tackle plastic pollution.

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 initiative.

The organisation also highlighted Ghana’s target of restoring two million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and pledged continued support for programmes aimed at 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.