By Frank Kwame Abbor
Ho, June 7, GNA-The Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) and partners including the Forestry Commission has set an ambitious target of planting 300,000 tree seedlings across the region as part of a nationwide flagship initiative, ‘Tree for Life Restoration Initiative.’
It is aimed at reversing environmental degradation and restoring hope for future generations.
Speaking at the 2025 edition, Mr. Augustus Awitty, the Chief Director of the VRCC, emphasized the significance of this year’s campaign, which is being held under the theme: “Restoring Degraded Landscapes, Planting 30 million Trees Across the Country.”
“When we plant trees, we restore hope,” Mr. Awitty passionately stated. “We are regenerating ecosystems that have been stripped bare and investing in the health and resilience of our communities.”
He warned that land degradation was no longer an abstract issue but a crisis threatening Ghana’s food systems, water security, weather patterns, and economic stability. “It affects every facet of our lives and demands urgent, collective action,” he stressed.
This year’s drive is not merely an annual ritual, but a nationwide transformation agenda with the Volta Region alone, targeting 300,000 seedlings as part of the national target.
Mr. Awitty called on traditional leaders, government agencies, schools, civil society groups, and development partners to actively participate not only by planting trees but also by nurturing and protecting them.
He expressed grave concern over the destructive impact of bushfires, particularly in the Ho Municipality and Adaklu District, describing it as “a major threat to environmental progression.”
He appealed to citizens to end the indiscriminate burning of bushes and illegal encroachment on forest reserves, warning that the forest is a national treasure, not a personal inheritance.
“Our forests, including cherished reserves like the Mole National Park, must be protected from illegal activities,” he cautioned.
Mr. Awitty made a passionate call to traditional authorities to serve as responsible custodians of their lands.
He urged government departments and agencies to integrate tree planting into their operational policies rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Additionally, he encouraged students and educators to embrace environmental stewardship as a lifelong commitment, taking the initiative beyond a one-day event.
“It’s not just about planting a tree today,” he concluded. “It’s about safeguarding our environment for generations to come.”
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/ Kenneth Odeng Adade