By Anthony Adongo Apubeo,
Fumbisi (U/E), Dec. 25, GNA – AfriKids Ghana has achieved a major milestone under its Children Against Climate Change programme by planting and nurturing 5,000 trees across four districts in the Upper East and North East Regions over three years.
The achievement was announced by the Country Director of AfriKids Ghana, Mr David Pwalua, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Raymond Akolbire Ayinne, the Communication and Advocacy Manager, at a Tree Festival held at Fumbisi in the Builsa South District.
The initiative received funding support from Gower Street, technical assistance from the Organisation for Indigenous Initiatives and Sustainability, Ghana (ORGIIS Ghana), and guidance and resources from the Forestry Commission.
The Tree Festival brought together pupils, teachers, officials of the Forestry Commission, the Ghana Education Service (GES), development partners and community members.
Mr Pwalua explained that the trees were planted in the Binduri, Talensi and Builsa South districts in the Upper East Region, as well as the Mamprugu Moagduri District in the North East Region.
He said the programme sought to restore degraded environments while instilling environmental stewardship and climate responsibility among schoolchildren and their communities.
According to him, the milestone demonstrated the impact of collective action and strengthened collaboration among schools, communities and state institutions.
Mr Felix Amoah, the Bolgatanga Municipal Manager of the Forestry Commission, commended AfriKids Ghana and the participating schools for supporting the government’s Tree for Life initiative, which encourages citizens to plant and nurture trees.
He stressed that tree planting should become a continuous habit rather than a one-off activity and highlighted the importance of trees in providing oxygen, regulating the climate, preventing soil erosion and supporting biodiversity.
Mr Amoah said the Forestry Commission would continue to supply seedlings free of charge to schools and individuals, noting that over 200,000 seedlings were distributed to institutions this year, with plans to increase production to 300,000 in the next planting season.
Mr Atuburoa Moses Asiawen, representing the Builsa South District Director of Education, said AfriKids Ghana’s intervention had significantly improved tree planting efforts in schools within the district.
He observed that the focus on education and proper seedling care had resulted in high survival rates, unlike previous initiatives where many planted trees failed to grow.
Mr Asiawen appealed for future seedling distribution to coincide with peak rainfall periods to enhance sustainability and maximise benefits for schools and communities.
Mr Julius Awaregya, Executive Director of ORGIIS Ghana, cautioned that human activities such as indiscriminate tree felling, bush burning and charcoal production were major contributors to climate change in northern Ghana.
He urged schools and communities to protect existing trees alongside new plantings and to continue passing on tree-planting knowledge to successive generations of pupils.
As part of the festival, awards including watering cans, wheelbarrows, pickaxes and citations were presented to schools that emerged as highest achievers in tree planting and maintenance over the past two academic years.
The award-winning schools were Tongo-Balungu Primary School (Talensi District) for the 2023/2024 academic year and Winkogo Junior High School (Talensi District) for 2024/2025; Gotesaliga Primary and Junior High School (Binduri District) for 2023/2024 and Tansia Primary and Junior High School (Binduri District) for 2024/2025; Zeng Primary School (Builsa South District) for 2023/2024.
The rest are Chansa Junior High School (Builsa South District) for 2024/2025; Prima D/A Basic School (Mamprugu Moagduri District) for 2023/2024 and Yagaba Girls Model Junior High School (Mamprugu Moagduri District) for 2024/2025.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Audrey Dekalu