The Northern Region is placing young people and educational institutions at the heart of Ghana’s reforestation efforts, as high-ranking officials and students teamed up for this year’s “Tree for Life” (T4L) Day celebration on the University for Development Studies (UDS) campus.
The exercise—aligned with World Environment Day activities—brought together key stakeholders including the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Ali Adolf John; UDS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Seidu Al-Hassan; Tamale Mayor, Alhaji Adam Abubakari Takoro; and Northern Regional Police Commander, ACP Wisdom Lavoe.
More than one million trees are set to be planted across the region under the initiative, led by the Forestry Commission’s Forest Services Division. The focus is on regenerating degraded lands and empowering communities—especially the youth—to take ownership of climate resilience efforts.
“We want the youth to lead the charge,” said Mr Kwasi Frimpong, Regional Forest Manager. “This isn’t just tree planting—it’s climate action, and everyone has a stake in it.”
Prof. Al-Hassan announced that UDS will integrate the T4L programme into its Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP), requiring each student to plant at least one tree in their host communities during their outreach.
“With over a thousand students participating in fieldwork annually, this integration has the potential to impact communities across the Northern Region and beyond,” he noted.
The Regional Minister emphasized that afforestation efforts will only yield long-term results if communities and institutions commit to nurturing the planted trees.
“It’s not enough to plant—we must protect and grow,” Mr Ali Adolf John said, calling on schools, chiefs, and assembly members to take personal interest in tree survival rates.
The campaign is part of Ghana’s broader climate strategy aimed at reversing the effects of deforestation and illegal mining, and building local resilience to climate change.
As Professor Al-Hassan appealed to the Forestry Commission for more seedlings, students and local leaders expressed their readiness to play a frontline role in protecting Ghana’s green cover.
