From Joana Kumi, Cape Coast
In a bold and inspiring move to combat environmental degradation and support national efforts toward reforestation, the Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Coast has pledged to plant 10,000 tree seedlings across the Central Region.
This gesture, though rooted in faith, speaks volumes to the power of collective responsibility in protecting the environment.
The event, held under the theme “Tree for Life—Pilgrim of Hope,” drew students from notable Catholic schools, including St. Augustine’s College, Holy Child Senior High School, St. Joseph Catholic Basic School, and St. Michael’s Catholic Girls Basic School.
Their youthful presence was not just symbolic; it was a call to action. They came with energy, hope, and willing hands to dig, plant, and water.
The seedlings would be planted in schools, hospitals, and on church lands that have remained unused.
The announcement was made during a symbolic tree-planting event held in Cape Coast to commemorate World Environment Day.
Addressing the gathering, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, did not mince words about the dangers facing our planet.
He stressed that planting trees was more than a ceremonial act; it was an expression of faith in the future.
Quoting a writing by Dr. Gaise Tetteh, he warned against the growing menace of plastic pollution, stating that “plastics are not only harmful to the environment but also pose serious health risks.”
“If we truly care about the Earth and about one another,” he said, “then we must rethink our choices. Tree planting is just one of the many ways we can give back to nature.”
In closing, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle offered a heartfelt prayer, asking for grace and strength to keep the initiative alive. “A tree is life,” he said solemnly. “And life is a gift we must preserve.”
The Forestry Commission, one of the key partners in the Trees for Life campaign, lent strong support to the day’s activities.
The central regional director of the Forestry Commission, Emmanuel Nkwantabisa, observed that the country’s rising deforestation rates and the reckless degradation of the environment were clear signs that Ghana could no longer rely on traditional weather patterns.
“We used to predict the rains, the winds, and the dry season with ease,” he remarked. “Now, even our farmers are confused. This is what happens when we lose our trees.”
He revealed that as part of the national tree-planting campaign, Ghana aimed to plant a staggering 3,000,000 trees this year, an ambitious yet necessary target.
He praised the Catholic Church for stepping up, describing the partnership as one that must be emulated by other faith-based institutions.
“Tree planting must become part of our lives. It should be as natural to us as breathing. It is about survival,” he added.
The day’s events were capped with a beautiful blend of symbolism and purpose.
Each student who planted a tree received a book, a thoughtful gift that tied knowledge to growth and learning to life.
In a world where trees are being cut down to produce paper, the act of replacing them spoke volumes.
The director of Caritas, Cape Coast Office, Rev. Fr. Stephen Amoah Gyasi, who was also present, encouraged all gathered to take environmental protection personally.
He urged them not to see the exercise as a one-off event but as a lifestyle, a spiritual duty, and a civic obligation.
“Let this not end here. Let every seed you planted today remind you that we are stewards of God’s creation,” he said.