The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on all Ghanaians to embrace the ‘Tree for Life’ Reforestation Initiative, highlighting its critical role in restoring biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and safeguarding the nation’s ecological future. 

Officially launched in March this year by President John Dramani Mahama in Nkawie, Ashanti Region, the initiative forms a cornerstone of the government’s broader strategy to revive degraded lands, bolster forest reserves, and foster long-term environmental resilience. 

Speaking at the One Child, One Tree commemorative tree-planting exercise on World Environment Day (5 June 2025) at Kwabenya Community Senior High School, President Mahama commended Mr Buah’s visionary leadership in spearheading the ‘Tree for Life’ programme, which is set to transform Ghana’s environmental landscape. 

The ambitious initiative aims to plant 30 million trees by the end of the year, with carefully selected seedlings tailored to local ecosystems.

Guided by educators and environmental officers, the programme will also incorporate a new instructional model—Child Beyond Academic Skills—designed to instil responsibility, environmental stewardship, and practical life skills, including tree planting and creative activities such as painting.

Armah-Kofi Buah stressed the power of individual action in a passionate address to Parliament ahead of the launch: “The ‘Tree for Life’ initiative is a month-long nationwide campaign running from June 5th to 30th, therefore everyone will have the opportunity to participate in the programme. I will encourage Members of Parliament to be involved in the national tree planting exercise actively”. 

Buah further emphasized that the success of this initiative hinges on collective effort, calling on schools, religious institutions, corporate organizations, and citizens to join forces in this critical environmental mission.

To support the initiative, the Ministry, in partnership with key stakeholders, will distribute a diverse array of seedlings adapted to regional climates, including timber, fruit, and ornamental trees. These seedlings will be free at the Ministry of Lands, selected Regional Coordinating Council offices, other Ministries, and all District and Regional Forestry Commission offices nationwide.

Together, let’s plant the seeds of a greener, healthier Ghana.

On Thursday, June 5th, 2025, President Mahama officially launched the “One Child, One Tree” initiative in Accra, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s environmental sustainability efforts.

The event took place at Kwabenya Senior High School. It was graced by the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed (MP), alongside several other dignitaries, including Members of Parliament, traditional rulers, local government officials, environmental advocates, school children, and members of the general public.

The launch formed part of the national activities commemorating World Environment Day 2025, observed under the global theme “Ending Plastic Pollution” and the national theme “Repurpose Plastic Use.” 

The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Education, aimed to foster environmental consciousness among young Ghanaians by encouraging every child to plant and nurture a tree.

In his address, President Mahama reflected on the critical environmental challenges facing Ghana and the world, particularly the growing crisis of plastic pollution and deforestation. He emphasized the urgency of decisive action to protect Ghana’s natural resources and ecosystems.

“Plastic pollution has become a serious threat, clogging our rivers, choking agricultural lands, and polluting our oceans,” the President noted. “But today, we recommit ourselves to a future where the environment is valued, protected, and restored through collective action.”

President Mahama highlighted the government’s efforts since his administration resumed office in January 2025, including establishing the Ministry of Climate Change and Sustainability and enacting the National Plastics Management Policy.

He reiterated the goal of reducing plastic waste entering landfills by 60% by 2030 and praised communities that had already embraced recycling and waste management innovations.

The One Child, One Tree initiative was launched as a vital extension of the government’s Tree for Life Reforestation Programme, which aims to restore seven million hectares of degraded land and plant seven million trees. Through this initiative, every school-aged child in Ghana would receive a seedling, native to their ecological zone, and be guided to plant and care for it, thus embedding environmental responsibility within the education system.

Dr. Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), delivered a compelling address that underscored the urgent need to simultaneously combat plastic pollution and deforestation.

“Our markets, beaches, and drains have been overwhelmed by single-use plastics, threatening biodiversity and public health. However, today’s launch marks a turning point,” he declared.

The Minister explained the ministry’s commitment to the National Plastics Management Policy and outlined the ACT framework: Awareness: Educating citizens about the dangers of plastic pollution; Conscious Consumption: Promoting the reduction, reuse, and repurposing of plastics; and Transformation: Encouraging innovation, recycling, and policy reform to create a circular plastic economy.

He called on all stakeholders, including the private sector, local governments, and development partners, to intensify efforts toward sustainable waste management and environmental protection.

President Mahama also announced the commencement of a nationwide tree-planting campaign running from June 5 to June 30, 2025, with a target of planting 30 million trees across Ghana. This campaign sought active participation from all citizens to plant trees that would cool urban centres, stabilise riverbanks, sequester carbon, and enhance biodiversity.

Thousands of schoolchildren enthusiastically participated in the event, receiving their seedlings and planting kits, along with educational materials to nurture their trees responsibly.

In closing, both the President and the Minister stressed that environmental protection requires a sustained, nationwide effort and partnerships across sectors. They highlighted upcoming regional tree-planting festivals, community clean-up drives, and a Green Innovation Expo that would showcase local solutions to environmental challenges.

President Mahama reminded all Ghanaians that “the Earth is not inherited from our ancestors; it is borrowed from our children. The future is not something we enter by chance; it is something we create.”

The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Ghana’s environmental agenda and encouraged citizens to pledge: “I will not litter; I will reduce my plastic use; I will plant and care for a tree.”