As part of the government’s flagship Green Ghana afforestation programme, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel A. Jinapor, joined Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin to launch the “One-Student-One-Tree” initiative at Abuakwa State College.
The student-focused tree-planting drive aims to complement the government’s broader reforestation efforts while nurturing environmental stewardship among Ghana’s youth.
Speaking at the launch in Kyebi on Monday, the minister paid tribute to the Okyenhene’s visionary leadership over the past 25 years and his consistent support for government policies like the Green Ghana Project.
“Today, we honour a leader whose steadfast dedication, vision, service and commitment have significantly shaped the Abuakwa Traditional Area, as well as the nation and humanity,” he stated.
Mr Jinapor provided context on the urgency of the Green Ghana initiative, reminding the audience that Ghana’s forest reserves have been under threat but over 42 million trees have been planted since the project’s inception in 2021.
He said the “One-Student-One-Tree” programme is to raise awareness about environmental protection and climate change mitigation among students.
“Trees act as the lungs of our planet, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Planting trees is an investment in the natural infrastructure that sustains life on earth. The initiative goes beyond planting, it fosters a sense of environmental stewardship in our students. It represents our collective duty to protect and ensure a sustainable future,” Mr Jinapor said.
The Minister said the programme would instil values of environmental care, broaden ecological understanding and strengthen the responsibility students have to the world they will inherit.
“Planting a tree is an act of hope, a declaration of our faith in the future and our commitment to a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow. Let us encourage each student to take pride in their tree, to nurture its growth, and to recognise that their actions today will shape the world of tomorrow,” he stated.
The Okyenhene urged the students to guard the future and preserve it for the generations to come.
This year’s national Green Ghana Day is set for June 7th on the theme, “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow.” The aim is to plant 10 million seedlings across the country and the President will lead the commemorative tree planting at the Nicholson Stadium in Burma Camp, Accra.
The “One-Student-One-Tree” launch marks a significant milestone in engaging Ghana’s youth as active stakeholders in the nation’s environmental transformation efforts.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
