The Northern Region is expected to plant more than 1.1 million trees over the next month under the government’s 2026 Tree for Life Initiative, contributing to a national target of 30 million trees aimed at reversing deforestation and tackling climate change.
The campaign was launched on Friday at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) in Tamale, where the Mayor of Tamale Abubakari Adam Takoro led a symbolic tree-planting exercise on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf John and President John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Takoro urged institutions, communities and individuals to focus on nurturing planted trees rather than treating the exercise as a one-day ceremony.
“The success of this initiative will not be measured solely by the number of trees planted today but by the number of trees that survive and continue to benefit our communities in the years ahead,” he stated.
He described the initiative as a key intervention against the growing effects of climate change in northern Ghana, where changing weather patterns and environmental degradation continue to threaten livelihoods. He also added that, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly will be planting about 150,000 tree seedlings across urban and peri-urban areas.
Mr. Takoro called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, schools, religious organisations, traditional authorities, youth groups and civil society organisations to actively participate in the campaign. He also encouraged young people to become ambassadors for environmental protection and climate action.
The Mayor said tree planting remains one of the most practical ways to improve air quality, prevent soil erosion, conserve water resources and build resilience against climate change.
Northern Regional Forestry Commission Manager Kwasi Frimpong said the nationwide exercise will run from June 5 to July 4, 2026, with free seedlings available to residents, institutions and corporate organisations through the Forestry Commission.
According to him, the Northern Region has been assigned a target of over 1.1 million trees, forming part of the national goal of planting 30 million trees this year.
Mr. Frimpong stressed that the campaign’s impact would be measured by how many trees survive to maturity.
“The success of the initiative depends not only on planting trees but also on nurturing them to maturity.”
The launch attracted officials from local assemblies, traditional authorities, security agencies, government departments and development partners, all of whom pledged support for the afforestation campaign.
The Tree for Life Initiative is a flagship government programme aimed at restoring degraded lands, increasing forest cover, enhancing biodiversity and strengthening Ghana’s response to climate change.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
