Eco Restore, a prominent reforestation and restorative social enterprise has officially launched its annual tree-planting month in Takoradi, located in the North East Region. This initiative combines ancient sustainable practices with cutting-edge regenerative techniques to improve soil health, restore biodiversity, and ensure food security for future generations.
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Celebrating World Environment Day with Purpose
The launch of the tree planting month coincided with the celebration of World Environment Day (WED) on June 5, which this year focused on the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution.” This theme aligns perfectly with Eco Restore’s broader mission to restore ecosystems and promote sustainable land management practices across the region.
Global Shea Landscape Emission Reduction Project
The tree planting month forms part of the Global Shea Landscape Emission Reduction Project (GSLERP). This five-year initiative started in 2024. The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It is implemented by the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Global Shea Alliance (GSA), with technical support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
In partnership with Bunge, a primary international shea processor, and their collaborator Agriterra, Eco Restore aims to plant 142,000 trees across 19 communities by 2025. Of these, 100,000 will be shea trees, with the remaining 42,000 being non-shea trees.
A Million Trees Planted and Counting
At the launch event, Eco Restore Director Dr Peter Lovett shared the organisation’s remarkable achievement of planting over one million trees in the past six years. He emphasised the importance of planting more indigenous trees, particularly shea trees, highlighting their role in supporting reforestation efforts, generating market value, and serving as a vital source of livelihood for women.
A Call for Environmental Responsibility
Dr. Issahaku Zakaria, another Eco Restore Director, called on the public to avoid activities that harm the environment. He urged individuals to plant more trees or replace those they cut down, emphasising the importance of sustainable land management to prevent the future loss of vital ecosystems and landscapes.
Symbolic Tree Planting Ceremony
The launch was further marked by a symbolic tree-planting ceremony led by the chief of Takorayiri, Mba Takora Dinbahara Dabru. Other key figures, including ISODEC Coordinator Madam Agnes A. Gandaa, Madam Scholastica Atarah from the Centre for Ecological and Livelihood (CEAL), and Dr. Michael Barnor, officer-in-charge of the Bole sub-station of CRIG, also participated in the event, showing their support for this critical environmental initiative.
Eco Restore’s annual tree planting month serves as a reminder of the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges. Through these efforts, the organisation aims to make a lasting impact on the environment, community livelihoods, and sustainable land-use practices.
