From Joana Kumi, Cape Coast
In a spirited call for collective action to revive Ghana’s rapidly degrading environment, Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, has proposed tying tree planting to everyday privileges such as prophetic messages, employment opportunities, and university graduation requirements.
Speaking during a symbolic tree planting exercise held at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to launch the region’s phase of the “Tree for Life” initiative, the Minister emphasized the urgent need to shift societal behavior towards sustainable environmental practices.
Over 20 trees were planted during the ceremony to mark the official commencement of the exercise in the Central Region.
Mr Eduamoah stressed that to make tree planting more impactful and culturally ingrained, it should be linked with elements that deeply influence Ghanaians.
He proposed that religious leaders tie their prophetic messages to tree growing, arguing that if people believed they would face dire consequences for not planting trees, they would act without hesitation.
“If someone is told their life depends on planting a tree, they won’t waste time,” he said, highlighting the psychological influence of religion on behavioral change.
Going further, he called on universities to introduce policies that would require students to plant trees before they are allowed to graduate.
“Imagine every graduating student planting ten trees and identifying their locations. Multiply that across all universities, it would create lasting change,” he remarked.
The Minister also suggested that job seekers should present evidence of tree planting as part of their employment process in public institutions.
He further proposed that courts consider reducing jail terms for convicts if their families commit to planting hundreds of trees, as a means of promoting environmental restoration through civic responsibility.
Mr Eduamoah lamented the destructive impact of current development and farming practices, pointing out that while people are encouraged to plant trees, their actions end up causing more harm to existing vegetation.
He stressed the need for an attitudinal change: “We must not only plant trees but protect the ones already in place. The cost of replanting cannot match the benefit of preserving what we have.”
He announced that systems would be put in place to track the survival of the planted trees and hinted at a five-month monitoring exercise to ensure accountability.
In support of the campaign, the Regional Director of the Forestry Commission, Mr Emmanuel Owusu-Nkwantabisa, disclosed that the region has raised 500,000 seedlings of various species for free distribution.
He outlined targets including the establishment of 700 hectares of new plantations, distribution of 100,000 seedlings for beautification projects, 300,000 seedlings for agroforestry, and enrichment of 150 hectares of forest reserves.
He encouraged residents to collect seedlings from Forestry Commission offices and designated collection points, urging everyone to take personal responsibility for environmental restoration.
“Together, we can breathe life back into our degraded forests and water bodies. Let’s make the ‘Tree for Life’ initiative a national success,” he stated.
