Tree for life, an initiative worth pursuing

 At the start of the 20th century, Ghana’s forest cover extended over 8.2 million hectares, account­ing for nearly 34 per cent of the country’s land area.

Richly divided between the high forest and savannah zones, these forests played a vital role in supporting eco­nomic activity and sustaining ecological balance.

However, this vital resource has suffered devastating decline. Today, Ghana’s forest cover is estimated at just 1.6 million hectares or even less. Deforestation persists at a troubling rate of two per cent annually, translating to a loss of about 135,000 hectares each year.

Beyond the loss of trees is the more subtle yet equally damaging issue of forest deg­radation. Unlike deforestation, degradation happens gradual­ly—but its effects are just as harmful.

The root causes are well established to include, agri­cultural expansion, unsustain­able wood harvesting, urban sprawl, mining, and infrastruc­ture development.

It is against this backdrop that The Ghanaian Times welcomes the government’s launch of the Tree for Life initiative, spearheaded by Pres­ident John Dramani Mahama.

This campaign marks a critical intervention to halt de­forestation, restore lost forest cover, and protect our remain­ing reserves. It also contin­ues the work of previous administrations, building on their efforts to encourage tree planting across the country.

What distinguishes this initiative is both its urgency and ambition. With a target of planting 30 million trees by the end of the year, the project represents a bold yet necessary step toward revers­ing environmental decline.

The use of locally adapted seedlings further enhances its potential for long-term success. Particularly inspiring is the “One Child, One Tree” component of the campaign.

Launched last Thursday during World Environment Day at the Kwabenya Com­munity Senior High School, this initiative introduces young Ghanaians to the values of environmental stewardship.

As the saying goes, “Catch them young, and they shall be yours forever.” By involving children in tree planting, we are cultivating a generation that understands and cherishes the natural environment.

The importance of this campaign cannot be over­stated. Trees play irreplace­able ecological roles as they absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, protect soil, provide food, regulate water cycles, and offer habitats for count­less species.

They also support health­care needs through plant-based medicine and contribute to economic growth through timber exports and related revenues. Indeed, the adage “When the last tree dies, the last man dies” speaks power­fully to the stakes we face.

Trees are not just part of our landscape, they are essen­tial to our survival. Therefore, The Ghanaian Times strongly endorses the Tree for Life campaign.

It is not only timely but also imperative as such government, communities, schools, and individuals must come together to make this effort succeed, not just for to­day, but for future generations.

We, believe that restor­ing Ghana’s forests requires urgency, unity, and unwavering commitment.

If we act decisively now, we can reclaim our green heritage and build a sustainable, resil­ient future for all.