The Department of Community Development has officially launched its nationwide Green Community Development Initiative, beginning the Ashanti Regional phase with a ceremonial tree-planting exercise at the Asokwa Interchange and Dompase.

The national campaign, being implemented under the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, seeks to plant one million trees across the country in an effort to promote climate resilience and environmentally sustainable communities.

In collaboration with the Asokwa Municipal Assembly, the exercise commenced with the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Amoh Kamel, pledging the Assembly’s full support to ensure the long-term survival of the planted trees.

He stressed the importance of strict monitoring and urged residents to act as watchdogs to protect and sustain the initiative’s environmental objectives.

Under the programme, a target of 70 trees is to be planted in selected communities within each district across all 16 regions. In the Ashanti Region, an initial total of 500 trees has been earmarked for planting, with further expansion expected as additional seedlings become available.

The Deputy National Director of the Department of Community Development, Mr Samuel Blebu, said the initiative is intended to complement the Forestry Commission’s annual tree-planting exercises.

He explained that, unlike single-day planting campaigns, the programme is designed as a continuous, year-round effort integrated into the country’s broader afforestation strategy.

Mr Blebu noted that the initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Forestry Commission and the Department of Parks and Gardens.

He further called on beneficiary communities to establish oversight committees to ensure the daily care, protection and maintenance of the trees.