Murtala Mohammed addressing participants
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, which aims to bolster efforts in restoring degraded lands and increasing awareness about desertification, has been held in Tamale in the Northern Region.
Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Mr. Murtala Mohammed, at the celebration in Tamale, noted that the initiative’s goal is to empower every child in Ghana to plant and care for a tree, nurturing a culture of environmental stewardship from a young age and contributing to national reforestation and climate resilience efforts.
He disclosed that there was an urgent need to address human activities threatening the environment.
According to him, Ghana, especially its five northern regions, is under increasing pressure from deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable farming, and climate change, which are degrading soils and limiting future environmental and economic potential.
He expressed optimism about the opportunities land restoration could bring, such as enhanced agriculture, job creation, carbon capture, water conservation, and sustainable livelihoods.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability under President John Mahama, stating that the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology is dedicated to integrating environmental sustainability into the national development agenda.
Director and Head of Change at Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr. Felix Addo Okyere, who read a speech on behalf of Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, CEO of EPA, revealed that approximately one million square kilometers of productive land are degraded each year, impacting 1.3 billion people globally.
“Nearly 1.8 billion people live in drought-affected areas, with 4.4% facing severe or extreme drought conditions. Over 39% of our land has been affected by desertification, unsustainable land use, and climate change.”
Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, noted that the theme, “One Child, One Tree”, aligns with the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, aiming to plant over 30 million trees by 2025.
He urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts against desertification and drought, and pledged the Northern Regional Coordinating Council’s unwavering support for such efforts.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale