Earth Day marked with tree planting at Aburi Botanical gardens
Pupils of the Anane Memorial International School, the Daughters of the Middle Passage (DMP) Foundation, the Black Star Pearls of Ghana (BSP) and the Planet Waves Environmental NGO (PW) have marked Earth Day 2025 with a tree planting exercise at the Aburi Botanical Gardens.
The event, which took place last Tuesday is an initiative to protect the Earth and make it a better place.
The celebration saw pupils and representatives from the collaborating organisations, plant 108 seedlings, repeating a similar activity undertaken two years ago.
According to the President of the DMP Foundation, Lois Okudzeto, the number of seedlings planted (108) was no coincidence. She said in some cultures, it was sacred, hence represented wholeness, unity and the circle of life.
“Today, it represents 108 chances to correct our mistakes, to honour the earth and to say thank you,” she added.
She expressed hope in the younger generation, emphasising that their actions currently would impact the future positively.
Mrs Okudzeto further introduced the pupils to four of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Climate Action on SDG 13, explaining their relevance to everyday life.
Agents of change
A Founder Member of the Planet Waves NGO, Soni Valecha, urged the pupils to become agents of change in their communities by taking active roles in educating their families and friends on environmental well-being, proper sanitation and practical ways to help clean and sustain the Earth.
She also urged the pupils to always practice proper sanitation wherever they found themselves, challenging them to spread awareness and influence good environmental habits among those around them.
According to the acting Curator of the Aburi Botanical Gardens, Richard Forson, the Gardens spanned 164 acres, including 30 acres developed and divided into various lawns with different species of trees.
He explained the significance of various lawns at the gardens, including lawn 1, where dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II and her son had planted trees during their visits to Ghana.
