Accra, June 27, GNA – The Chief Executive Officer of Lakeside Estate Limited, Dr Prince-Joseph MK. Ayiku, has rallied stakeholders in the real estates sector to prioritise the greening of the environment.
He said sustainable real estate development was key to building healthier and more resilient communities.
Dr Ayiku made the call during a tree planting exercise in support of the Green Ghana Initiative.
The event was held under the theme “Planting Today, Protecting Tomorrow”.
It brought together residents, staff, contractors and environmental advocates to plant trees in a show of commitment to nature.
He said the exercise was not just about placing seedlings in the soil. It symbolised hope and responsibility.
“While we build homes, it is trees that complete them,” he said. “They cool our neighbourhoods, purify the air, prevent erosion, support biodiversity and enhance property value.”
Dr Ayiku described tree planting “as one of the simplest and most powerful responses to climate change”.
He urged communities to take local action. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now,” he added, quoting an African proverb.
He said Lakeside Estate’s involvement in the exercise transcended corporate social responsibility.
“It is a business imperative,” he explained. “Modern clients want eco-friendly communities where nature thrives. Green developments uplift lives. They attract investment and increase long-term value.”
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainability. “We are not just developers – we are guardians of the environment,” he said. “Our mission is to nurture, not deplete.”
Ghana continues to lose large tracts of forest cover due to illegal mining, logging, and unsustainable farming.
The country loses about 135,000 hectares of forest annually. In response, the government launched the Green Ghana Initiative in 2021 to restore degraded lands through mass tree planting.
In 2025, the government renewed the national call with a target to plant 10 million trees.
The exercise, held on June 7, marked the fifth edition of the initiative and focused on consolidating gains made in previous years.
The Green Ghana Day was observed under the theme “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow”.
Dr Ayiku said the initiative aligned with Lakeside Estate’s values.
He noted that as a four-time CIMG Company of the Year, the company is committed to setting a new standard in responsible development.
“Let us grow not just homes, but habitats,” he urged. “Let us build not just with bricks and concrete, but with the living spirit of nature.”
He expressed hope that the trees planted would serve as lasting symbols of resilience, peace, and a shared commitment to protecting the environment.
GNA
Beatrice Asamani Savage