Upper West Region Marks Tree for Life Initiative with Call for Climate Action

The Upper West Region joined the rest of the country on Thursday, June 5, to commemorate the national Tree for Life Re-afforestation Initiative, reaffirming its commitment to environmental restoration and sustainable development.

The ceremony, held at the yet-to-be-commissioned Upper West Regional Police Headquarters in Wa, brought together key stakeholders including government officials, traditional leaders, security personnel, and members of the public.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Regional Minister, Lawyer Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), Hajia Pognaa Fati Issaka Koray, described the initiative as a timely response to the alarming levels of environmental degradation in the region and across the nation.

“This initiative is a critical policy intervention at a time when the effects of illegal mining, deforestation, desertification, and climate change are evident across our country,” she stated.

“The Upper West Region continues to grapple with erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and declining soil fertility, threatening agriculture and livelihoods.”

She emphasized that the Government of Ghana is integrating climate action, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection into its national development strategy.

“Our strategy prioritizes afforestation, reforestation, and the restoration of degraded lands. The Tree for Life initiative is about restoring not just the land, but also hope, dignity, and opportunity,” she added, aligning the project with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 15 (Life on Land).

Kwame Oteng Awuah, Upper West Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, outlined the technical objectives of the initiative, which include turning degraded landscapes into ecologically functional zones through sustainable forest management and conservation practices.

“This is a demonstration of what we can accomplish when governments, traditional authorities, civil society, and communities unite for a cause greater than ourselves,” Mr Awuah said.

He further highlighted other aims such as restoring polluted water bodies, promoting agroforestry and ecotourism, encouraging urban greening, and instilling environmental responsibility in the youth.

According to the Forestry Commission, approximately 900,000 tree seedlings will be planted across the Tumu and Lawra Forest Reserves as part of the initiative. In addition, 70,000 seedlings have been allocated for amenity planting by individuals, institutions, and organizations to enhance urban greenery and public spaces.

DCOP Darko Offei Lomotey, Upper West Regional Police Commander, underscored the role of environmental protection in national security and development.

“The trees we plant today symbolize our collective commitment to combat climate change, preserve biodiversity, and ensure ecological balance,” he said.

Adding a traditional perspective, Naa Ali Seidu Pelpuo Yelimaana, representing the Wala Traditional Council and the Regional House of Chiefs, appealed to the public to support the initiative by halting unsustainable practices such as indiscriminate tree cutting for timber and charcoal.

“If we continue harvesting trees while planting new ones, we’ll be doing nothing,” he warned. “We must ensure that the trees we plant today survive and thrive.”

The event culminated in the symbolic planting of 100 trees by key dignitaries, marking the region’s commitment to long-term climate resilience and ecological regeneration.