In a strong show of corporate commitment to environmental sustainability, Ecobank Ghana has rolled out a nationwide tree-planting campaign across five regions, reaffirming its longstanding support for World Environment Day.
Although the global day fell on June 5, the bank chose to extend its observance throughout the month to accommodate a series of impactful green activities.
Speaking at a symbolic tree planting event held at the Light Academy in Adenta, Mr. Tara Squire, Executive Director and Regional Head of Consumer Banking for Ecobank Ghana and Anglophone West Africa, explained that the initiative aligns with the bank’s strategic focus on environmental protection, financial inclusion, and carbon footprint reduction.
“Sustainability is at the core of Ecobank’s vision,” he said. “We are taking bold steps to reduce the carbon footprints of our operations while supporting broader societal goals such as financial literacy and inclusion.”
The event at Light Academy formed part of a broader collaboration between Ecobank and the Forestry Commission to execute a Regional Tree Planting Exercise across 12 locations in Tema, Sakumono, Dodowa, Adenta, Madina, Kumasi, Sunyani, Tamale, Esiama, Tarkwa, Takoradi, and Kasoa. In total, 2,500 trees will be planted, with over 20 beneficiary institutions including schools, churches, and hospitals.
According to Mr. Squire, the bank’s internal sustainability metrics cover energy usage, office waste, paper consumption, and vehicle emissions. He noted that Ecobank’s push toward digital banking, which minimizes paper usage and expands access to financial services for underserved communities, reinforces the bank’s sustainability efforts.
“Apart from being visually appealing, trees absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, and provide habitats for wildlife,” Mr. Squire noted. “One large tree can provide a day’s supply of oxygen for up to four people. It takes about seven trees to offset the carbon dioxide produced from driving 16,000 kilometres.”
Ecobank’s 2025 World Environment Month activities have included participation in the national launch of World Environment Day at Kwabenya Community SHS on June 5 and a commemorative tree planting event with the Diplomatic Corps at Achimota Forest on June 20. Additionally, the bank has adopted two hectares of degraded land within the Chipa Forest Reserve near Dodowa for reforestation, with preparatory work expected to commence in the coming days.
Forestry Commission Applauds Ecobank’s Initiative
In her address, Madam Dorcas Asiamah, District Manager at the Greater Accra Regional Forestry Office of the Forestry Commission, praised Ecobank for aligning with the national Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, which targets the planting of 30 million trees across the country in 2025.
“Tree planting is very important, and Ecobank Ghana’s decision to focus on schools is laudable,” she said. “It instills the culture and spirit of environmental stewardship in children and youth.”
Madam Asiamah outlined the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural benefits of trees, such as carbon sequestration, water purification, climate regulation, and job creation. She encouraged Ghanaians to visit Forestry Commission offices and nurseries to collect free seedlings and join the national effort.
She also took participants through basic tree-planting steps and maintenance tips, stressing that nurturing seedlings, through proper soil preparation and regular watering, is essential for their survival.
A Call to Action for the Next Generation
Headmistress of Light Academy, Mrs. Shirley-Ann Boateng, echoed similar sentiments and encouraged students to view the event as more than just a ceremonial act.
“This is a bold declaration of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the environment for future generations,” she said. “Let this be the beginning of a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Looking Ahead
With Ghana increasingly facing climate-related challenges, Ecobank’s tree planting campaign serves as both a practical and symbolic contribution to environmental resilience. By combining corporate leadership, institutional partnerships, and youth engagement, the initiative seeks to foster a culture of environmental responsibility that transcends World Environment Day.
“We must all realise that each one of us can make a difference to the environment, just by planting a tree,” Mr. Squire concluded.
