Eco Restore launches tree-planting campaign on World Environment Day:

…targets 142,000 trees across 19 communities

By Samuel SAM

Eco Restore, a leading reforestation and restorative social enterprise, has launched its annual tree-planting month in Takorayiri, located in the North East Region of Ghana. The launch, under the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, coincided with commemoration of World Environment Day (WED) observed globally on 5 June.

The initiative aims to plant a total of 142,000 trees – comprising 100,000 Shea and 42,000 non-Shea species – across 19 communities by end-2025. The goal is to restore degraded ecosystems, enhance biodiversity and promote sustainable land management practices.

The tree-planting campaign forms part of the Global Shea Landscape Emission Reduction Project (GSLERP), a five-year programme that began in 2024. The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and jointly implemented by the Forestry Commission (FC) and Global Shea Alliance (GSA), with technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Eco Restore is collaborating with Bunge – a leading international Shea processor – and its partner Agriterra to restore degraded environments and strengthen land systems, with the broader aim of improving agricultural productivity and food security.

Speaking at the launch, Chief Mba Takora Dinbahara Debreu of Takorayiri praised Eco Restore for its efforts to rehabilitate the local environment. He called for continued support to expand the tree-planting initiative, noting its benefits for air quality and access to herbal resources.

Executive Director-Eco Restore Dr. Peter Lovett warned that indiscriminate tree-felling is undermining crop production and placing pressure on government to import food for meeting national demand.

“If we grow more trees, we can create employment, improve food production, protect infrastructure and support sustainable livelihoods. This will help reduce poverty and enhance food security,” he stated.

Dr. Lovett explained that Eco Restore’s mission is to blend traditional sustainable practices with modern regenerative agriculture to restore biodiversity, improve soil health and promote long-term food production.

“In just six years we’ve planted over a million trees, including Shea and other indigenous species, to rehabilitate degraded landscapes,” he revealed. He further urged both corporate organisations and individuals to partner with government to plant more Shea trees, which not only support reforestation efforts but also provide economic opportunities – particularly for women.

Deputy Chief Executive-Eco Restore Dr. Iddi Zakari added that tree-planting plays a vital role in combatting climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, improving air and water quality, reducing the urban heat island effect and preserving wildlife habitats.

He called on the public to avoid environmentally harmful activities and instead embrace tree-planting as a way to help safeguard the ecosystem. Dr. Zakaria also stressed the importance of replacing aged or felled trees to protect the environment for future generations.

The event drew participation from key stakeholders including Madam Agnes A. Gandaa, Coordinator-Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC); Madam Scholastica Atarah-Centre for Ecological and Livelihood (CEAL); and Dr. Michael Barnor, Officer-in-Charge – Bole Sub-Station of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG).

The initiative is expected to strengthen community engagement in environmental restoration while contributing to Ghana’s national targets for climate resilience and sustainable land management.

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