Cape Coast joins national "Trees for Life" initiative with major tree-planting exercise

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly, has launched a tree-planting exercise across the Cape Coast Metropolis as part of the national "Trees for Life" initiative aimed at restoring Ghana's environment and promoting sustainable development.

The nationwide campaign seeks to plant more than 30 million trees across the country, with Cape Coast expected to contribute 3,500 trees to the ambitious target.

Speaking during the exercise, the Metropolitan Chief Executive for Cape Coast, Hon. George Justice Arthur, expressed his full support for the initiative, describing it as consistent with his vision of making Cape Coast a cleaner, greener, and more attractive city.

According to the MCE, tree planting plays a critical role in protecting the environment, improving air quality, and enhancing the beauty of the metropolis. He therefore called on schools, businesses, government institutions, and other organizations within the metropolis to actively participate by planting and nurturing trees.

"This initiative aligns with our goal of maintaining a clean and neat Cape Coast. I encourage all institutions to get involved by planting trees and helping to preserve our environment for future generations," he stated.

Also addressing participants, the District Manager of the Forest Services Division of the Forest Commission in Cape Coast, Mr. George Osei, emphasized the importance of trees in sustaining life and maintaining ecological balance.

He noted that trees are a natural resource that must be protected and preserved, urging parents to instill the culture of tree planting in their children from an early age.

"Trees are life, and we must all play our part in protecting them. Parents should encourage their children to plant and care for trees so that environmental conservation becomes a way of life," he said.

Mr. Osei further disclosed that Cape Coast has been allocated 3,500 trees under the initiative and appealed to institutions and community groups to collect seedlings and participate in the exercise.

The "Trees for Life" initiative forms part of the government's broader efforts to combat climate change, restore degraded lands, improve biodiversity, and create a healthier environment for present and future generations.

Residents, institutions, and community leaders have been encouraged to support the exercise by planting and nurturing trees, ensuring that the campaign achieves its objective of creating a greener and more sustainable Ghana.