History was made at the Aburi Botanical Gardens on Monday, 24th November 2025, as His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, planted a wawa (Triplochiton scleroxylon) tree seedling to reinforce the United Kingdom’s longstanding partnership with Ghana in environmental conservation.

The symbolic gesture continues a royal tradition spanning more than six decades.

In 1961, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II planted a Mahogany tree at the Gardens, followed by then-Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, who planted a silver oak in 1977.

The Duke’s action, therefore, becomes the third such contribution to the Gardens by members of the British Royal Family.

The event formed part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s official visit to Ghana aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, particularly around sustainability and environmental stewardship.

As part of his visit, he toured the historic Gardens and received briefings on Ghana’s forest restoration efforts and the pivotal role played by the Forestry Commission in protecting forest and wildlife resources.

During the tour, the Duke visited the Gardens’ nursery, where both indigenous and exotic plant species are raised.

The nursery also doubles as a training hub for horticultural students, fostering capacity-building and supporting national conservation efforts.

Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Hugh C.A. Brown, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, highlighted the deep and longstanding ties between the Commission and the United Kingdom—a relationship dating back to the establishment of the then Forestry Department in 1909.

He noted the UK’s significant role in supporting institutional reforms, training, logistics, and modern forest management practices over the years.

Dr. Brown also detailed ongoing UK-funded initiatives, including the development of the Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) and electronic timber tracking, which support Ghana’s forest governance and underpin the issuance of FLEGT licences.

He further disclosed that since March 2025, the Commission and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) have been collaborating on a Forest Governance Partnership Project to advance a potential Ghana-UK Voluntary Partnership Agreement and strengthen efforts against illegal mining in forest reserves.

He also highlighted the government’s ambitious Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, launched by President John Dramani Mahama in March 2025, aimed at restoring degraded landscapes and promoting tree-planting culture among the youth.

The ceremony also witnessed a tree planting by Nana Otoobour Djan Kwasi II, Aburihene and Adontenhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, who planted a Cedrela seedling—demonstrating the critical role of traditional leaders in advancing environmental sustainability.

Dignitaries present included the British High Commissioner, H.E. Christian Rogg; Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey; and the Member of Parliament for Akuapem South, Miss Lawrencia Dziwornu.