Dr David Wilfred Ochan, the Country Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Thursday urged Ghanaians to plant trees on their birthdays as a personal contribution to restoring the country’s tree cover and protecting the environment.

Speaking at the launch of UNFPA’s Tree Planting Campaign at O’Reilly Senior High School in Accra, Dr Ochan said if every Ghanaian planted just one tree each year, the country would exceed the national “Tree for Life” target of 30 million trees annually.

“At your next birthday, always remember to plant a tree to commemorate that birthday and as your gift to nature that has already given each one of us so much,” he said.

Dr Ochan explained that the campaign, which runs until 2030, carried unique features designed to deepen ownership and responsibility and included encouraging individuals to plant trees equal to their age and institutions to plant trees corresponding to the number of years of existence.

He described the initiative as  “simple but transformative,” adding that the project would not only contribute to climate action but also instill environmental responsibility across generations.

“Imagine each school planting by age, each pupil planting by age, and every institution planting by its age. What an effect and what a system we would have built to sustain this initiative,” he added.

The UNFPA’s Tree Planting Campaign would focus on schools, health facilities and public parks to engage young people and demonstrate the link between trees, cleaner environments and better quality of life.

The launch, which targeted the planting of 1,000 trees, brought together partners including the Ghana Education Service, Forestry Commission, Department of Parks and Gardens, Ghana Health Service, National Youth Authority and civil society organisations.

Dr Ochan called for stronger national leadership and collaboration to sustain the effort, stressing the role of both in-school and out-of-school youth.

“There is a role for everyone. Let us make planting trees by age our rallying cry for health, protection and sustainability,” he said.

Mr Francis Aniagyei, the Headmaster of O’Reilly Senior High School, said tree planting was a “solemn commitment” to climate action and assured that the trees planted by the school would be carefully maintained to flourish.

“We plant hope, commitment, and a sustainable future.  Let’s begin planting for our future,” he said.