Accra, Feb. 23, GNA – The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Forestry Commission, will hold a debate competition on March 19 to mark this year’s International Day of Forests.
The debate will be between the University of Ghana and the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
The topic is: “The economic value of forests should be measured solely in terms of timber and non-timber forest products.”
A statement from the Commission, copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday, said The University of Ghana will speak “FOR” while the UPSA will speak “AGAINST” the topic.
A speech read on behalf of Dr Hugh Brown, the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, commended the representatives of the two institutions for agreeing to be part of the debate and the celebration of Forest Day.
“The debate is targeted at the youth who will be the future front-liners of the various institutions, and it is, therefore, important that they understand forest protection and its associated issues,” he said.
“The FC is ready to offer help towards preparations for the debate competition. I wish you well.”
The International Day of Forests was proclaimed on March 21, 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly.
It is a day to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of trees, forests, and trees outside forests.
On this day, member countries are encouraged to organize local and national events that centre on forest protection and tree planting to commemorate it.
Since the institution of the International Day of Forests, the Ministry and Forestry Commission had organised many awareness creation and education campaigns on tree planting.
In 2025, President John Dramani Mahama launched the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative (T4L) on March 21, at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region to commemorate the day.
An assessment of tree seedlings planted under the T4L Reforestation Initiative, carried out at the end of 2025, revealed that over 31 million tree seedlings were successfully planted across the 16 regions of Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe