By Felix Coffie
The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its unwavering resolve to restore the country’s degraded forests and combat the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. At a high-profile tree planting event involving members of the Diplomatic Corps in Accra, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. YUSIF Sulemana, outlined a bold five-pronged strategy currently being rolled out to tackle the menace.
The government’s strategy focuses on enforcement, reclamation, community engagement, technology, and institutional reforms, aimed at protecting forest reserves and water bodies that have come under threat from illegal mining activities.
“We are taking bold, comprehensive action to reclaim our environment and restore what has been lost. Illegal mining has caused immense harm to our natural heritage, but through sustained effort and partnership, we can reverse the damage,” said Hon. SulemanaAs part of the government’s long-term vision, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has launched the “Tree for Life” initiative, a national reforestation drive designed to plant millions of trees and embed a culture of environmental responsibility across generations.
A key component of the initiative includes the formation of “Tree for Life” clubs in schools across Ghana. These clubs aim to educate and empower students to become active custodians of the environment planting trees and fostering a deeper awareness of sustainability.
“These clubs are about more than tree planting. They are about nurturing a mindset of environmental stewardship among future leaders,” the Deputy Minister added.The event saw strong participation from members of the Diplomatic Corps, who joined the symbolic tree planting as a gesture of solidarity. Their involvement, according to the Deputy Minister, represents growing international support for Ghana’s efforts to confront climate change and rehabilitate its ecological systems.
“Each tree planted by our foreign partners is a symbol of hope, partnership, and shared responsibility for the planet. We must act together for a greener, more resilient future,” he stated.In his address, H.E. Maher Kheir, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana and Lebanese Ambassador, praised the government’s environmental efforts and stressed the importance of global collaboration.
“We are here in solidarity with Ghana because environmental degradation does not respect borders—it affects all of us,” Ambassador Kheir said. “It is crucial that we become each other’s keepers in protecting the planet.”He described the tree planting initiative as a powerful example of international unity in confronting a shared global challenge.
“This gesture may be small, but the message is powerful: together, we can reclaim our environment. Our collective future depends on the actions we take today,” he added.While acknowledging progress, Hon. Yusif Sulemana made a passionate appeal to the international community, development agencies, and corporate Ghana for financial and technical support to help scale up the fight against illegal mining and expand reforestation efforts.
“Every tree we plant is a tree of hope. A tree of life. Let us plant not just for today, but for generations to come.”The “Tree for Life” campaign stands as a rallying call for collective action. As Ghana battles environmental degradation, the initiative highlights the shared responsibility of citizens, governments, and global partners in building a greener, more sustainable future.
