The month-long programme, which runs from June 5 to June 30, will enable institutions and individuals to collect seedlings of various tree species from Forestry Commission offices across the region for planting. 

This year’s initiative is being held under the theme: “Forests and Economies.” 

Mr. Noble Isaac Eshun, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Forest Service Division, disclosed this during a commemorative tree-planting exercise at the Armed Forces Senior High Technical School in Kumasi. 

He said the majority of the seedlings would be planted in forest reserves, reclaimed mining sites, and degraded forest areas to ensure proper nurturing and monitoring. 

According to Mr. Eshun, previous initiatives revealed that many individuals collected seedlings but failed to plant them. As a result, the Commission plans to limit the number of seedlings distributed to individuals to a maximum of five, unless they can demonstrate that they have adequate sites for planting. 

He noted that assessments conducted after last year’s restoration programme showed an 85 percent survival rate for planted seedlings and expressed confidence that this year’s success rate would be even higher. 

Mr. Yaw Atuahene Nyarko, Director of the Resource Management Support Center, urged all citizens to take an active interest in tree planting, stressing its importance to human survival. 

He noted that forests make a significant contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and remain valuable assets that must be protected and expanded. 

Mr. Nyarko expressed concern over the continued degradation of forests, emphasizing the need to reduce destruction and increase tree planting efforts. 

“Forest degradation is a genuine concern. What needs to be done is to protect our forests, reduce destruction, and plant more trees to outpace what is being lost, thereby creating a stronger forest ecosystem for our benefit,” he said. 

Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, revealed that discussions had already been held with some institutions in the region, which had pledged to reclaim degraded lands as part of their corporate social responsibility programmes, with support from the Forestry Commission in planting trees on those lands. 

He encouraged households to plant more trees to help Kumasi regain its status as the “Garden City” and urged communities to make conscious efforts to establish and maintain lawns where necessary. 

According to the Minister, a well-maintained environment promotes healthy living, supports sustainability, and helps secure a better future for generations to come.