Prez. Mahama launches “One Tree Per Child” initiative at World Environment Day 2025

President John Dramani Mahama, on Thursday led the nation to mark World Environment Day 2025 with a bold call for collective action against plastic pollution and deforestation.

Addressing a gathering of government officials, diplomats, traditional leaders, faith groups, and students in Accra, the President launched a landmark initiative dubbed “One Tree Per Child” aimed at deepening environmental consciousness among Ghana’s youth.

The theme for this year’s global observance, “Ending Plastic Pollution,” struck a chord with President Mahama, who described Ghana’s plastic waste crisis as both urgent and solvable.

He warned that unless bold steps are taken, plastic waste could outnumber fish in our oceans by mid-century.

“Our rivers are choked, farmlands are laced with microplastics, and cities flood because drains are clogged with plastic waste. But this is not a death sentence—it is a call to action,” he said.

As part of the national response, the President announced that every school-aged child in Ghana will be given a seedling to plant and nurture under the One Tree Per Child Initiative.

The goal, he said, is to instill a culture of environmental stewardship in the next generation while accelerating reforestation across the country.

“This is more than tree planting—it’s about creating a lifelong bond between our children and the environment,” he added.

The President further announced the official commencement of the Tree for Life Reforestation Exercise, which runs from June 5 to June 30, 2025.

The nationwide campaign aims to plant 30 million trees within the month, building on the earlier Tree for Life launch in Nkawie, Ashanti Region, where the government committed to restoring seven million hectares of degraded land.

He urged all Ghanaians—from local assemblies to security agencies, private companies to civil society organisations—to join the effort.

“Whether it’s financing recycling plants, enforcing anti-dumping laws, or simply refusing single-use plastics, we all have a role to play,” the President emphasized.

President Mahama also highlighted recent policy interventions, including the formation of the Ministry of Climate Change and Sustainability, the National Plastics Management Policy, and a revamped Solid Waste Management Strategy aimed at reducing plastic waste in landfills by 60% by 2030.

In a heartfelt appeal to development partners and businesses, he called for deeper collaboration and investment in Ghana’s green economy.

Plans are also underway for regional tree-planting festivals, national clean-up drives, and a Green Innovation Expo to showcase homegrown solutions.

Ending his address with a stirring reminder, President Mahama declared: “The future is not something we enter—it is something we create. Let us create a Ghana where rivers run clear, forests stand tall, and communities live in harmony with nature.”

The World Environment Day celebration reaffirmed Ghana’s growing commitment to sustainable development and environmental renewal.

On his part, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed underscored the critical threat plastic pollution poses to public health, biodiversity and sustainable development.

He lamented that Ghana’s markets, beaches and drainage systems are increasingly clogged with single-use plastics, posing serious risks to human and environmental well-being.

“Every year, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally. Much of this ends up in oceans, rivers, forests and even in the food we consume. Ghana is not exempt. But today is not for lamentation — it is for action,” the Minister said.

He mentioned that each child will be encouraged to plant and nurture a tree, promoting climate resilience and reforestation efforts.

ACT Now – Awareness, Conscious Consumption, and Transformation

The Minister explained that the acronym ‘ACT’ — derived from the national slogan — captures the threefold approach needed to combat plastic pollution:

A – Awareness: Educating the public on the dangers of plastic pollution and promoting sustainable alternatives.

C – Conscious Consumption: Encouraging individuals and businesses to reduce, reuse and repurpose plastic.

T – Transformation: Driving innovation, policy reforms and circular economy models to manage plastic waste sustainably.

The Minister further revealed that the government is vigorously implementing the National Plastic Management Policy, with enhanced enforcement and incentives to promote green innovation.

Through projects like the Circular Economy Framework for the Plastic Sector in Ghana (CEF-PS), the Ministry is working closely with local industries to develop biodegradable alternatives and create green jobs in recycling and upcycling.

“We are moving from awareness to action. Our collaboration with local industry will ensure extended producer responsibility, create jobs, and stimulate innovation in waste management,” she noted.

The Minister extended heartfelt gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for his presence and leadership in championing environmental protection.

“To have the President with us today is a strong symbol of national commitment. His presence affirms that environmental sustainability is a top priority for our development agenda,” she said.

The Minister also called on young Ghanaians to take the lead in building a sustainable future.

“To our youth — you are not just leaders of tomorrow, you are the actors of today. Your ideas, your creativity, your drive — these are the forces that will transform Ghana,” she said.

He concluded by urging all stakeholders — from industry players and local governments to civil society and international development partners — to support the country’s vision of a greener, plastic-free future.

“As we mark this important day, let us remember that we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors — we borrow it from our children. What we do today will shape the Ghana we leave behind,” she said.

World Environment Day 2025 served as a powerful reminder that ending plastic pollution requires more than promises — it demands action, innovation, and unity across all sectors of society.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith