U.S. Ambassador to Ghana plants Lignum Vitae trees

On June 11, 2021, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie S. Sullivan commemorated “Green Ghana Day” by planting a Lignum Vitae tree on the U.S. Embassy grounds.

The chosen tree is commonly referred to as the “tree of life” or “wood of life,” due to its traditional medicinal use as a remedy for arthritis and coughs.

Ambassador Sullivan also launched a tree nursery at the Embassy for indigenous and non-native species to contribute to our collective efforts to reforest Ghana with rich and diverse trees that provide vital products and amenities, including quality habitat for wildlife, biodiversity of plant and animal communities that form a vital part of the ecosystem, and recreational opportunities.

During the event, Ambassador Sullivan appreciated the initiative of His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo, along with the enthusiasm of Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, for highlighting the critical need to restore Ghana’s forest cover and to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere.

The U.S. Embassy looks forward to working with Ghanaians to support policies and programs that restore and conserve forests and water bodies, stop illegal logging, mining (galamsey), fishing (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated [IUU] fishing) and plastic pollution.

“Prompt reforestation is critical. The goal of 5 million trees set by the Government of Ghana is an ambitious but necessary one, so we must all do our part, one tree, or many at a time. I strongly encourage Ghanaians to embark on restoring Ghana’s forest cover, repair degraded landscapes, and protect water bodies.” – U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie S. Sullivan.