The Executive Director of ZAR Climate Group, Sherifa Halutie Forkah, has led the planting of coconut trees at Mensahkrom SDA Basic School in the Sunyani East Municipality of the Bono Region as part of efforts in the fight against climate change.
Sherifa Halutie Forkah called for more efforts in the fight against climate change in the country, especially government implementing and enforcing environmental by-laws that protect trees and forest reserves from indiscriminate cutting and degradation.
“These regulations are particularly vital in areas vulnerable to illegal logging, mining, and unchecked farming activities, which are accelerating the impacts of climate change,” she noted.
The planting of the coconuts was a collaboration between ZAR Climate Group, a Sunyani-based environmental NGO, and the Forestry Commission.
Madam Forkah noted that persistent tree felling, especially in protected forest areas, is taking a serious toll on Ghana’s natural environment.
Ghana is facing alarming levels of deforestation, ranking third among 65 countries in forest loss, according to a study by the International Tropical Timber Organization. The main drivers include agricultural expansion, illegal mining, and commercial logging, which are stripping the country’s forest cover, reducing carbon sinks, and contributing to climate change.
The occasion marked the planting of 40 coconut seedlings by the ZAR Climax Group as part of efforts to support the government’s Tree for Life initiative.
She noted that tree planting is one of the most effective grassroots strategies to combat climate change and called on Ghanaians to embrace it.
“This tree planting exercise we have embarked on is part of our routine activities as an NGO and to support the Government’s agenda of “tree for life project,” she said.
She again urged the government to ensure that environmental bylaws are not only enacted but fully enforced to prevent further deforestation.
“Without enforcement, regulations are just words. We need action to preserve our environment for future generations,” she emphasized.
“The step we have taken is to empower communities to take such initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to combat climate change,” she added.
A Forest Manager at the Sunyani Forest District, Edward Mensah Bonsu commended the initiative, describing it as a timely and impactful intervention.
“This effort will go a long way in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. It’s encouraging to see NGOs taking such proactive steps,” he noted.
Headteacher of Mensahkrom SDA Basic and JHS, Collins Asante pledged the school’s commitment to caring for the trees.
“We will ensure these seedlings grow into full trees. The students and staff are ready to protect them,” he assured.
The first ceremonial was performed by the Odikro of Mensahkrom, Nana Martey Commodore, symbolizing traditional leadership’s support for the initiative.
“I am very happy Mensahkrom was selected for this exercise, I will ensure that we protect the coconuts to grow to serve its intended purpose and also continue to plant trees in the community in our climate action efforts.”
The Head of Department Atmospheric and Climate Sciences at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, who is also the Board Chairman of ZAR Climate Group Dr. Caleb Mensah noted the need for waste recycling and proper waste disposal and emphasized the need for collaboration among institutions to engage in awareness creation on mitigation and adaptation strategies to climate change
ZAR Climate Group plans to plant more coconut seedlings by the end of the second quarter of 2025.
The group remains committed to using tree planting as a vital tool in the fight against climate change.
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