Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced plans by the government to plant an additional 30 million trees beginning in June this year as part of efforts to restore degraded forests and strengthen environmental sustainability across the country.
Speaking at the 21st Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Minister said the initiative will commence with the onset of the rainy season and forms part of Ghana’s broader strategy to combat deforestation and climate change.
According to him, the nationwide tree-planting exercise will build on existing reforestation interventions aimed at reversing the destruction of forest reserves, much of which has been caused by illegal mining activities and other human-related environmental degradation.
“We are not stopping there. From June 2 this year, at the start of the rains and planting period, we will commence this year’s edition to plant an additional 30 million trees,” he stated.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah further explained that government is integrating tree planting into agricultural systems through the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme, which promotes climate-smart agriculture and sustainable land-use practices.
He noted that the programme forms part of efforts to encourage environmental conservation while supporting livelihoods within farming communities.
The Minister also highlighted achievements made under the government’s “Tree for Life” restoration initiative, revealing that more than 30 million trees were planted across Ghana over the past year through the active participation of citizens and residents.
“In the last year alone, through our innovative flagship Tree for Life restoration initiative, we mobilised citizens and residents of Ghana to plant over 30 million trees,” he added.
The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to Ghana’s environmental restoration agenda while supporting global efforts to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
