The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has called for stronger collaboration between state and non state actors in the fight against the destruction of the land and continue to work together to make land restoration a national priority.
“The land is our life. If we restore it, we restore our dignity, our economy and our hope. Let this year’s celebration, therefore, mark the beginning of a renewed national movement to regenerate Ghana’s landscapes through One child, One tree, One community at a time” he said.
The Minister made the admonishment in an address during the commemoration of this year’s World Day to combat Desertification and Drought observed on the theme: “One child, One tree” held on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) in Tamale.
Dr Murtala in his remarks said environmental sustainability remains a top priority of President John Dramani Mahama and assured the full commitment of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology to ensuring that environmental sustainability is anchored in the national development agenda.
He further announced the introduction of the Tree for Life programme, the Blue Water initiative and the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project as flagship interventions to address the root causes of land degradation.
He noted the One Child, One Tree initiative is part of the government’s efforts seeking to empower every child in Ghana to plant and nurture a tree, instilling the culture of environmental stewardship from a young age and contributing to national afforestation and climate resilience.
The United Nations declared the annual World Desertification and Drought Day to raise awareness and the need to enhance efforts to combat desertification.
“Today is therefore not just a ceremonial observance. It is a call from the land, from the dry, cracked soils of our Savannahs to the struggling farmlands and the devastated galamsey sites across the country. It is a call for action, for responsibility and restoration”he stated.
“Drought which is caused due to human activities like deforestation and desertification which is a process done by humans like burning of trees to reduce the fertility of the soil are interrelated” he observed.
He lamented the phenomenon is adversely affecting people’s livelihood and threatens food and water security of the country.
Meanwhile, the government is set out to plant about 30 million trees this year nationwide and a total target of 10,000 trees in the northern region.
The Northern Regional Minister, John Ali Adolf, for his part urged the relevant stakeholders to support the government’s intervention to safeguard the integrity of the earth surface.
“Naa Chairman, it is significant that this important theme is on the heels of the TREE FOR LIFE afforestation Initiative 2025, under which the country intends to plant over 30 million trees.
“Considering the fact that children constitute about 40 percent of our population, who are also our future, the theme for this year’s celebration is a well-thought-out idea” he stated.
“Based on this, I wish to appeal to all stakeholders in efforts at combating desertification and drought of which tree-planting is an important component to make maximum use of children in their initiatives” he added.
Some individuals and organizations were given various awards to honor their dedication and commitment in promoting tree planting and safeguarding the land ecosystem.
