Ecobank Ghana has commenced a significant reforestation project in the Chipa Forest Reserve, in the Shai-Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region, marking a new chapter in the bank’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
The initiative was announced by Dr Daniel Kasser Tee, the Head of Corporate Communications for Ecobank Ghana and Anglophone West Africa (AWA).
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Tara Squire, Executive Director and Regional Head of Consumer Banking at Ecobank Ghana/AWA, Dr Kasser-Tee said the initiative aims to plant approximately 1,700 trees on a 2-hectare degraded section of the forest over the next two weeks.
The event, held yesterday, is the culmination of Ecobank Ghana’s 2025 World Environment Day activities.
The climax is line with Ecobank Ghana’s over a decade-long partnership with the Forestry Commission, which has involved mobilising staff annually to green institutions across selected regions of Ghana.
“To ensure that what we do, going forward, is sustainable and more impactful, we decided to broaden our scope this year by adopting degraded lands for reforestation,” stated Dr Kasser-Tee.
This expanded commitment saw Ecobank Ghana actively participate in several key events in June, like the official launch and commemorative tree planting at Kwabenya Community SHS on June 5, 2025.
A special tree planting programme at the Achimota Forest Reserve on June 20, involving members of the Diplomatic Corps and Heads of selected Institutions, and the planting of 2,800 trees in 27 schools and hospitals across five regions of Ghana on June 27.
Dr Kasser-Tee highlighted the numerous benefits of reforestation on degraded lands, including improving ecosystems by providing habitats for various species, enhancing soil structure and fertility, and regulating climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
He also emphasised the economic value through job creation and improved living standards in deprived communities, as well as the aesthetic and recreational benefits that promote tourism.
“A single mature tree has the remarkable ability to supply enough oxygen in one day to support up to four individuals. Also, a healthy tree can absorb as much as 13 pounds of carbon each year, making it an invaluable ally in the fight against climate change,” Dr Kasser-Tee noted.
Recognising these vital contributions of trees to the environment, Ecobank Ghana has wholeheartedly adopted tree planting initiatives as part of its commitment to combat environmental degradation.
Beyond this, the bank is actively working to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations, including its supply and procurement processes, building designs, and energy usage.
Dr Kasser-Tee concluded by reiterating the point that tree planting must be a priority for every Ghanaian.
He indicated that: “At the individual level, people may not have the capacity for large afforestation or reforestation projects, but each person can, at least, plant one tree every year. With an adult population of about 60%, whether using 15+ or 18+ years as the base, Ghana could boast of planting 20.8 million trees annually from its estimated population of 34.7 million.”
This, he believes, would be a substantial contribution to restoring the fast-degrading forest to its natural form, creating a congenial environment for the future.
The Tema District Manager of the Forestry Commission, Linda Zuri Ansah, explained that the Commission is working to partner with farmers in the catchment area of the forest under the “tonja system,” to get them to commit to caring for the planted seedlings while also looking after their food plants, in a 60/40 profit-sharing arrangement.
She explained that under the initiative, whenever the trees are sufficiently grown and are harvested, the Commission will keep 60% of the sales proceeds while the farmer gets the remaining 40%.
This brings a second income line to the farmers, besides what they get from crop farming.
She expressed her gratitude to Ecobank for partnering with the Commission to restore the degraded portion of the forest.
She took the opportunity to invite other corporate entities to come partner with them to salvage the nation’s forests.
