Ms Gifty Ofori-Yeboah, Chief Executive Officer of the Eco Impact Network, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has appealed to the government to introduce a national policy that encourages every household in Ghana to plant at least one tree.
She said such an initiative would serve as a practical and effective means of addressing the country’s growing environmental and climate-related challenges.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ms Ofori-Yeboah explained that community-based tree planting could significantly help reduce the effects of climate change while contributing to an increase in Ghana’s overall tree cover.
She noted that the continuous loss of forest areas had worsened environmental challenges over the years, adding that a household-based tree planting programme could help promote a sustainable culture of environmental protection among Ghanaians.
According to her, encouraging families to plant and nurture trees would also raise public awareness about environmental conservation, particularly among children.
She emphasised that early exposure to environmental practices could help develop a generation that is more conscious of climate-related issues.
The CEO added that planting trees within household compounds could contribute to restoring depleted vegetation and promote environmental education at the community level.
Ms Ofori-Yeboah stated that the Eco Impact Network remained committed to collaborating with stakeholders to support environmental awareness campaigns and promote sustainable practices across the country.
Mr Mathias Gafatsi, Officer in Charge of Tree Planting at the Eco Impact Network, reiterated the essential role trees play in combating climate change.
He explained that trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen, thereby reducing greenhouse gas concentrations responsible for global warming.
He added that trees help improve air quality, prevent soil erosion, and provide shade in urban communities. Integrating tree-planting initiatives into national climate strategies, he said, would ensure improved public education and stronger policy support.
Mr Gafatsi noted that the organisation also plans to expand its tree-planting activities in open spaces and along roadsides to help absorb heat emitted from tarred roads.
By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah, GNA