Upper East Regional Office of the Forestry Commission (FC) has observed the 2026 edition of the Tree for Life (T4L) Restoration Initiative with a commemorative tree planting exercise at the Zuarungu Nursing Training College in the Bolgatanga East District.
The event marked the commencement of this year’s reforestation and landscape restoration activities aimed at improving environmental sustainability and combating the effects of climate change in the Region.
The ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugi Donatus Atanga; the District Chief Executive for Bolgatanga East, Mr. Jacob Abugre Aka-Eri; officials of the Forestry Commission from the Forest Services Division (FSD), Wildlife Division (WD), and Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD); representatives of the security services, traditional authorities, clergy, educational institutions, and students.
Welcoming participants to the event, the Vice-Principal of Zuarungu Nursing Training College, Mr. Alhassan Sharif, expressed appreciation to the FC for selecting the Institution as the venue for the regional commemoration. He described the initiative as historic and reaffirmed the College’s commitment to tree planting and environmental conservation.
Addressing the gathering, the Upper East Regional Manager of the FSD, Mr. George Agbenowoshi, said the commemorative planting exercise was intended to signal the start of efforts to restore the Region’s fragile ecology. He noted that the national Tree for Life Restoration Initiative was launched on March 19 2026, at the Achimota Forest Reserve in Accra by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, under the theme “Forests and Economies.”
Mr. Agbenowoshi highlighted the Forestry Commission’s achievements in the Region, stating that 510 hectares of forest plantations comprising more than 566,000 trees were established in 2025. He added that approximately 410,000 seedlings were distributed and planted under the Tree for Life initiative through activities such as woodlot development, watershed protection and school planting programmes.
For the 2026 planting season, he disclosed that the Upper East Region has been allocated a target of 450,000 seedlings out of the national target of 30 million seedlings. He further announced plans to establish 600 hectares of plantation across the Region’s forest districts and called on stakeholders to support efforts to combat forest offences, including illegal mining and other activities that threaten natural resources.
The Regional Manager encouraged residents to obtain seedlings from Forestry Commission offices and designated distribution centres across the Region between June 5 – 30, 2026. He urged every resident to plant and nurture at least one tree to contribute to climate change mitigation and environmental restoration efforts.
Delivering the keynote address, the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugi Donatus Atanga, underscored the significance of the theme “Forests and Economies”. He stressed that forests are vital economic assets that support agriculture, protect water resources, preserve biodiversity, create employment and contribute to national development.
He observed that environmental challenges such as climate change, desertification, land degradation, bushfires and erratic rainfall patterns continue to threaten livelihoods in the Region. However, he noted that afforestation, agroforestry, watershed protection and sustainable land management present opportunities to restore degraded landscapes, improve food security, generate employment and strengthen community resilience.
The Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to climate-resilient development through reforestation and landscape restoration programmes, emphasising that environmental sustainability and economic growth are mutually reinforcing objectives. He urged communities to ensure that planted trees are nurtured and protected, noting that the success of the initiative would ultimately be measured by the survival and growth of the seedlings rather than the number planted.
The event concluded with a ceremonial planting by the Regional Minister, FC officials, security agencies, traditional leaders and other dignitaries, symbolising a collective commitment to restoring the Region’s degraded landscapes and securing a greener future for generations to come.
