Engr. Dr. Prosper Mensah, a Research Scientist at the Forestry Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-FORIG), has underscored the significant health and economic benefits of tree planting in estate development and management.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Dr. Mensah stated that incorporating adequate green spaces and trees into estate planning not only promoted public health but also enhanced the value and rental appeal of properties in such communities.
“In estates and communities where more trees are planted, rental values tend to be appreciated,” he explained, adding that people were naturally drawn to the greenery environment.
He noted that in the developed world, shopping districts with abundant greenery attract more customers due to the pleasant environment trees create.
Dr. Mensah advocated a deliberate national policy that mandated tree planting as a civic responsibility, saying that tree planting when backed by science and engineering could also contribute to Ghana’s economy through carbon trading.
“The more trees we plant, the more carbon we can absorb, which not only has financial benefits but also improves public health,” he said.
He further expressed concern over the decline of woodwork education in technical schools, attributing it to the scarcity of timber, a critical resource for practical training.
He said the lack of available timber had forced many students to switch to metalwork and other disciplines, as wood science had become increasingly difficult to pursue, leading to a gap in the next generation of wood scientists and artisans.
He further explained that the scarcity of timber had made wood science impractical in many schools.
“This is worrying, as it affects our long-term ability to sustainably manage and utilize forest resources,” he said.
Dr. Mensah also addressed the environmental degradation caused by unchecked deforestation, particularly in urban areas, citing rising temperatures and the drying up of water bodies as direct consequences of tree felling without replanting.
“It is unfortunate how our rivers are being exposed to direct sunlight due to the destruction of natural buffers; even bamboo, which plays a crucial role in protecting water bodies, is often overlooked or destroyed. This has direct consequences on water retention and ecosystem resilience,” he lamented.
Dr. Mensah called for the integration of technical expertise into national tree-planting initiatives to ensure accountability and sustainability.
He recommended the implementation of monitoring and stewardship systems to track the growth and survival of planted trees, stressing that this would foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among stakeholders.