The Ashanti Regional Forestry Commission has launched the 2026 edition of its “Tree for Life” (T4L) Reforestation Initiative, with a target of planting three million trees across the region to restore degraded lands and strengthen environmental sustainability.
The launch, held at the Armed Forces Senior High School in Kumasi to coincide with the observance of World Environment Day, marked the beginning of a month-long tree-planting campaign aimed at expanding forest cover and reclaiming degraded forest reserves.
The Ashanti Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Mr Isaac Noble Eshun, said the initiative builds on the success of the 2025 campaign, which achieved a tree survival rate of more than 85 per cent.
He explained that the focus of this year’s exercise would be on long-term environmental recovery rather than merely increasing the number of seedlings distributed.
According to him, a significant proportion of the trees would be planted in degraded forest reserves, with enhanced monitoring systems introduced to track their growth and survival.
Mr Eshun announced that the commission had introduced strict measures to ensure efficient utilisation of seedlings.
Under the arrangement, members of the public requesting seedlings would receive a maximum of five trees each.
He said the decision followed assessments which revealed that some beneficiaries in previous years failed to plant seedlings they had collected, resulting in avoidable losses.
He encouraged residents to take advantage of the free seedlings available at Forestry Commission offices throughout the region during the campaign period.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, urged residents to actively participate in the exercise by planting trees in their homes and communities.
He said the initiative formed part of broader efforts to restore Kumasi’s reputation as the historic “Garden City” of West Africa.
Dr Amoakohene disclosed that discussions would soon be held with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to promote and enforce home-based tree-planting programmes across the region.
Speaking on behalf of the Bantamahene, Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia IV, the Suntresohene Kyeame, Ohene-Asante, called for stronger protection of nature reserves and water bodies.
He cautioned against the indiscriminate rezoning and allocation of environmentally sensitive lands for commercial development.
He stressed that portions of such lands should be preserved for afforestation purposes to safeguard biodiversity and water resources.
Touching on the impact of illegal mining, Ohene-Asante proposed the introduction of a mandatory reclamation bond for mining operators before licences are issued.
He explained that such a measure would provide government with the resources needed to restore degraded lands and rehabilitate affected water bodies should mining companies fail to fulfil their reclamation obligations.
The “Tree for Life” initiative forms part of national efforts to combat climate change, restore forest ecosystems and promote environmental stewardship among citizens.
