Ghana exceeded its national reforestation target in 2025, with over 31 million trees planted under the Tree for Life Initiative, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced.

He made the revelation on Friday June 5, while speaking at the launch of the 2026 Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative.

According to him, collective effort from government institutions, traditional authorities, schools, religious bodies, civil society organisations, development partners, communities, and the private sector made the initiative possible.

“I am pleased to announce, as has already been stated, that in the 2025 edition of the Tree for Life Initiative, we planted over 31 million trees, even though the target was 30 million across the country, through the collective efforts of all of us”, he said.

The Tree for life initiative is part of a nationwide effort to restore the country's forest cover, combat climate change, and enhance the natural environment.

Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has garnered widespread participation from various sectors, including schools, religious organizations, and community groups. In 2024, the then Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah raised concerns about the destruction of trees planted along streets and other areas in parts of the region by stray animals.

“We have tried to regreen Kumasi to bring back the garden city that we all knew, unfortunately, we are disturbed by cattle. Almost all the trees we planted in 2023 have been destroyed.

The Ashanti Regional Security Council issued a warning, stating its intention to start taking custody of stray cattle left unconfined by their owners.

In various parts of the Ashanti Region, stray animals are often left to roam freely, causing damage to both public and private properties. Additionally, these animals sometimes contribute to vehicular traffic, creating a public nuisance.

Chairing the Security Council, the former emphasized that action will be taken against the owners of these stray animals.

“This time we are going to take stringent action against the owners of the cattle. We’re going to engage people who are good at catching stray cattle, we will pay them within that period, and they will ensure that the trees are not destroyed by cattle.”