The Upper West Region, Thursday, joined the rest of the country to hold a ceremonial tree planting exercise under the “Tree for Life” Restoration initiative as part of interventions to restore the nation’s vegetative cover.
The ceremonial event, held at the yet-to-be-commissioned Upper West Regional Police Headquarters, was aimed at planting and nurturing a hundred tree seedlings, including acacia and eucalyptus, on the premises of the police headquarters.
Cashew seedlings were also distributed to individuals at the event to plant at their respective homes and offices.
Naa Ali Seidu Pelpuo, the Paramount Chief of the Busa Traditional Area, who represented Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, the Overlord of the Wala Traditional Area, led the tree planting exercise by planting a ceremonial tree.
The Upper West Regional Coordinating Director, Regional Police Commander, Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission and other Heads of Department, including the Ghana Red Cross Society, also planted trees at the ceremony.
The event coincided with World Environment Day (WED), which encourages awareness and action to protect the environment.
Naa Pelpuo, who also represented the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, expressed concern about the wanton felling of trees for timber and charcoal.
He said if nothing was done to stop the menace, the “Tree For Life Restoration Initiative” would be fruitless.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, said the President Mahama-led administration prioritised climate action, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection in his development agenda.
“Our strategy under President Mahama prioritises afforestation, reforestation and the restoration of degraded lands as part of a broader framework for achieving climate resilience and inclusive growth,” he explained.
Mr Puozuing added that the initiative was also in line with the government’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 13 and 15 on Climate Action and Life on Land, respectively.
DCOP Mr Darko Offei Lomotey, the Upper West Regional Police Commander, described the tree planting exercise as a moral and civic responsibility for every Ghanaian to safeguard the environment for future generations.
Mr Lomotey gave the assurance that the Regional Police Command would ensure the seedlings were nurtured to serve the intended purpose.
On his part, Mr Kwame Oteng Awuah, the Upper West Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, said the initiative would help raise awareness of the importance of trees and environmental conservation.
He observed that land degradation, deforestation, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and loss of biodiversity threatened the livelihood of farmers and the well-being of future generations.
Mr Awuah said that it was paramount for initiatives such as the Trees For Life to restore the vegetation.