The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and King Charles III have joined forces to launch a reclamation project aimed at restoring Ghana’s degraded lands and forest reserves.
According to reports, technical teams from the United Kingdom and Ghana will convene for meetings to develop strategies and policies for the restoration effort, with a focus on addressing the devastation caused by illegal mining activities.
The collaboration between the two kings originated from their discussions during King Charles III’s coronation in the UK, where they expressed a shared commitment to combatting climate change through tree planting initiatives.
During the Green Ghana Day event held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, the Asantehene emphasized the importance of preserving Ghana’s forest reserves and combating land degradation. Recognizing the significant role trees play in environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and supporting local communities and wildlife, he highlighted the need for collective action.
Prior to the government’s tree planting agenda, the Asantehene had already undertaken tree planting efforts within the Ashanti region, demonstrating his personal commitment to environmental conservation.
Despite the Ashanti region’s impressive track record of planting over 7 million trees, it remains plagued by illegal small-scale mining. The launch of the third edition of Green Ghana Day saw the Nkawie Forestry district in the Ashanti region leading in tree planting, reflecting a strong local commitment.
The CEO of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey, noted that a significant proportion of the seedlings planted in recent years were within Ghana’s forest reserves, with an emphasis on indigenous species. These efforts aim to increase the survival rate of trees and promote the growth of economically valuable timber species, contributing to the overall restoration of Ghana’s forests.
