Dr. David Wilfred Ochan, Country Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has encouraged Ghanaians to mark their birthdays by planting trees as a personal contribution to restoring the nation’s forest cover and protecting the environment.
Speaking at the launch of UNFPA’s Tree Planting Campaign at O’Reilly Senior High School in Accra on Thursday, Dr. Ochan said such a practice could significantly transform the country’s reforestation efforts.
“If every Ghanaian planted just one tree each year, we would exceed the national Tree for Life target of 30 million trees annually,” he noted. “At your next birthday, always remember to plant a tree to commemorate the day — a gift to nature that has already given each one of us so much.”
The campaign, which will run until 2030, encourages individuals to plant trees equal to their age and institutions to plant trees corresponding to their years of existence. Dr. Ochan described the initiative as “simple but transformative,” explaining that it not only supports climate action but also instills environmental responsibility across generations.
“Imagine each school planting by age, each pupil planting by age, and every institution planting by its age. What an effect — and what a system — we would have built to sustain this initiative,” he said.
The campaign will focus on schools, health facilities, and public parks to engage young people and highlight the link between trees, cleaner environments, and improved quality of life. Thursday’s launch targeted the planting of 1,000 trees and brought together partners including the Ghana Education Service, Forestry Commission, Department of Parks and Gardens, Ghana Health Service, National Youth Authority, and several civil society organisations.
Dr. Ochan called for stronger national leadership and collaboration to sustain the effort, stressing the importance of both in-school and out-of-school youth. “There is a role for everyone. Let us make planting trees by age our rallying cry for health, protection and sustainability,” he urged.
Mr. Francis Aniagyei, Headmaster of O’Reilly Senior High School, described tree planting as a “solemn commitment” to climate action, pledging that the school would nurture the trees planted. “We plant hope, commitment, and a sustainable future. Let’s begin planting for our future,” he said.
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