President Mahama Launches ‘Tree for Life’ Initiative to Boost Afforestation and Climate Action
President John Dramani Mahama, on Friday, March 21, 2025, launched the ‘Tree for Life’ initiative, the government’s flagship afforestation and agro-forestry program aimed at restoring Ghana’s degraded lands and enhancing environmental conservation.
The initiative will facilitate the distribution of seven million seedlings, including both ornamental and food crops, to government agencies, the private sector, and the general public. The program is designed to raise awareness about the importance of trees in environmental protection, combat climate change effects, and restore lands and rivers damaged by illegal mining (galamsey) activities. It also seeks to instill a culture of environmental stewardship among Ghanaian youth.
Speaking at the launch event in Nkawie, President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to environmental protection, highlighting his directive to the Minister of Environment to commence the repeal of Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which currently grants the President unilateral authority to approve mining activities in forest reserves.
“The government’s environmental protection efforts extend beyond the fight against illegal mining. We are also focused on land reclamation. A pilot project by a private entity has successfully restored 16 hectares of land, and we aim to scale up this initiative to reclaim 500 acres annually, with a short-term goal of restoring at least 10,000 hectares,” President Mahama stated.
The ‘Tree for Life’ initiative, he noted, aligns with broader government efforts to rehabilitate river bodies affected by illegal mining. Additionally, he disclosed that Ghana is set to begin exporting Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT)-licensed timber by June 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to sustainable forestry.
“This initiative complements our Blue Water Initiative, launched to rehabilitate and revitalize polluted water bodies. By June 30, 2025, Ghana will export its first batch of FLEGT-licensed timber to the European Union, making us the first African country and the second globally after Indonesia to achieve this milestone,” he said.
“The FLEGT action plan ensures that only legally sourced timber enters the European market, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable forest management and combating illegal logging.”
President Mahama further emphasized Ghana’s dedication to the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urging accelerated action to meet climate and biodiversity targets by 2030.
“The ‘Tree for Life’ reforestation initiative is about hope, resilience, and a sustainable future,” he added.
Government’s Call for Nationwide Support
Providing an overview of the initiative, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, underscored its timeliness in furthering global ecological protection efforts. He announced a nationwide sensitization campaign to educate citizens on the benefits of tree planting.
“The Forestry Commission and partner institutions will provide seedlings to all interested individuals. The success of this initiative depends on the collective efforts of Ghanaians. We also invite Development Partners and the diplomatic community to support this vision,” he stated.
Beyond environmental conservation, the Lands Minister highlighted the initiative’s potential as a job creation platform to address unemployment.
“We will collaborate with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to create sustainable jobs through alternative livelihood programs such as fish farming, pig farming, apiculture, and agroforestry. This will enhance rural livelihoods and food security,” he noted.
Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, commended the initiative and assured the region’s full support for its successful implementation.
