The Ashanti Regional Forestry Commission has launched its 2026 tree-planting campaign with a target of planting three million trees across the region as part of efforts to restore degraded landscapes and promote environmental sustainability.

The initiative, launched at the Armed Forces Senior High School in Kumasi, forms part of the month-long “Tree for Life” (T4L) Reforestation Initiative and coincided with the global observance of World Environment Day.

Speaking at the launch, the Ashanti Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Isaac Noble Eshun, said the exercise builds on the success of the 2025 campaign, which achieved a tree survival rate of more than 85 percent.

According to him, this year’s programme will focus on sustainability and environmental recovery rather than simply increasing the number of seedlings distributed.

He explained that a significant portion of the trees will be planted in degraded forest reserves to support restoration efforts.

Mr. Eshun noted that the Commission has strengthened its monitoring systems to track the growth and survival rates of planted trees, ensuring greater accountability and long-term impact.

To minimise waste and improve the effectiveness of the programme, he announced that members of the public seeking free seedlings would be limited to a maximum of five trees each.

He said the decision follows assessments which showed that some beneficiaries in previous years collected seedlings but failed to plant them.

The Forestry Commission is making free seedlings available at all its offices across the Ashanti Region throughout the duration of the campaign.

Supporting the initiative, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, called on residents to actively participate in tree planting within their homes and communities to help restore Kumasi’s reputation as the “Garden City” of West Africa.

He disclosed that discussions would soon be held with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on measures to promote home-based tree planting as part of broader efforts to beautify the city and enhance environmental conservation.

Adding the voice of traditional leadership to the campaign, Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia IV, through his representative Suntresohene Kyeame Ohene-Asante, urged authorities to protect natural reserves and refrain from rezoning or leasing ecologically sensitive lands for commercial development.

The traditional leader also raised concerns about the environmental impact of illegal mining and proposed the introduction of a mandatory land reclamation fee as part of the mining licensing process.

He argued that such a financial guarantee would ensure resources are available to restore degraded lands and protect water bodies where mining operators fail to undertake reclamation activities.