Ecobank Ghana, in collaboration with the Forestry Commission, has launched a regional tree planting campaign to plant about 2,500 seedlings around the country as part of efforts to combat climate change.
This is part of the bank’s plans to plant trees across 12 centres in 5 regions of the country as part of activities commemorating World Environment Day.
Areas slated to receive these trees include Tema, Sakumono, Adenta, Dodowa, Madina, Kumasi, Sunyani, Takoradi, Tarkwa, Essiamah, Kasoa, and Tamale.
This is part of efforts to tackle climate change and restore the vegetative cover in the country, as well as reduce the bank’s carbon footprint.
In light of this, the bank with the Forestry Commission, and the staff and students of selected schools in the Adenta municipality have embarked on a tree planting exercise.
Executive Director and Regional Head of Consumer Banking for Ecobank Ghana and Anglophone West Africa, Tara Squire, said the day is not just a commemoration, but a commitment to sustainability.
Hence the bank’s commitment to participation in all events tied to World Environment Day 2025.
Consequently, the bank has committed to reforesting about 2 hectares of degraded land in the Chipa Forest Reserve at Dodowa.
Apart from this, the bank is investing in the development of electronic mobility solutions like electric buses, electric bikes and charging stations, to provide eco-friendly mobility options to customers while fostering economic growth and job creation.
He said, “our green transport drive is expected to reduce carbon emission, improve urban transportation systems and stimulate job creation in Ghana’s growing green economy.”
This suite of electronic products, he are available for all categories of persons and businesses that are interested in adopting them.
Tara Squire also revealed that the bank is pushing towards a paperless banking regime through digitalisation to reduce its carbon footprint further.
Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Joseph Bempah, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Dorcas Asiamah, District Manager at the Greater Accra Regional Office, stated that the target of the 2025 Tree For Life Reforestation Initiative is to distribute and plant 30 million trees nationwide.
This is with the goal of combatting climate change as well as raise the awareness of the importance of trees, as well as promoting urban greenery.
By working with the schools, churches and mosques, it is hoped that it will inculcate in the children and youth the spirit of tree planting.
He urged all persons interested in acquiring trees for planting to visit their regional and district offices for seedlings.
The Headmistress of The Light Academy at Adenta, Shirley-Ann Boateng, who hosted the event, described the event as “a bold declaration of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.”
She urged all citizens to take meaningful action to address climate change and environmental degradation.
She hoped that the tree planting exercise will imbue the students with a lifelong zeal for safeguarding the environment.
The students from the participating schools, such as The Ghana Christian International High School, St John the Evangelist School, Western Montessori, Shield International School, Victory Presby School and the La-Nkwantanan cluster of schools, among others, were taken through the steps of how to plant their seedlings.
