Researcher renews advocacy for Odum to be national symbol
A renowned botanist and ethnobotanical researcher, Prof. Daniel Abbiw, has renewed a call on national authorities to declare the Odum tree the national plant of Ghana as a symbol of the national character.
Odum, a timber species, has made profound contributions to Ghana’s physical and cultural heritage.
The Odum plant, known botanically as Milicia excelsa or Milicia regia, has historically been Ghana’s most important timber.
It has been used extensively in the construction of rest houses, guest houses, public buildings, furniture, vehicles and home structures from rafters to door and window frames.
Its resilience, termite resistance, and fire-proof qualities made it a staple of Ghana’s architectural identity.
“There is hardly a building from the early days of Ghana that didn’t use Odum,” Prof. Abbiw explains.
“Just as Britain honours the Quelcus species, Oak, as its national tree, Ghana should honour Odum,” he advocates.
The Odum bears the trade name Iroko.
Prof. Abbiw, an Oxford University graduate who turned 86 on September 3, 2025, but now visually impaired, has spent the last decade pushing his beliefs into the national psyche after spending decades on groundbreaking research, publications and national impact.
“This is not just about me.“It’s about acknowledging the very tree that helped build this nation.
After 10 years and three governments, I am still waiting,” he said.
Why Odum?
In his 2014 book titled “Traditional and Religious Plants of West Africa”, Prof. Abbiw recommended Odum for national plant status due to its profound contribution to Ghana’s physical and cultural heritage.
Odum is classified as a Class 1a high forest tree, fully indigenous to Ghana.
These classifications were detailed in Prof. Abbiw’s first major publication, “Useful Plants of Ghana”, a 1985 work that continues to guide research and forestry education to this day.
Africa-wide plant heritage proposal
Beyond Ghana, Prof. Abbiw has also proposed a continental initiative to promote national plant identities across Africa.
Of the 55 African countries, only nine currently have declared national plants. In West Africa, only Ghana and Liberia have done so.
The researcher called on national governments to select national plants and submit photos, names, and botanical data for inclusion on a large African map of national plants.
This map, he said, would include national plant, date of independence, national currency, natural resources and population.
This is to be produced as a landmark educational tool to be made available in both print and digital formats.
Still no action
Prof. Abbiw said he sent his first letter on the proposal to the government in May 2015.
With no response after multiple follow-ups, he submitted the proposal again when another government took office.
He said he even met President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2019, with the President promising to review the proposal, yet no further action followed.
In 2021, he said he redirected communication to the Chief of Staff as advised by the President’s Office.
Prof. Abbiw said he sent letters, a copy of his book, and other supporting documentation, but there was still no confirmation or progress.
The only official response came after a second letter was sent around his 85th birthday in 2024.
That letter was referred to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and later to the Forestry Department under the ministry, where Prof. Abbiw said he was left stunned.
“The official asked me whether Odum was a forest tree or a savannah, and whether it was indigenous.
These are matters I published 35 years ago. "It was quite disheartening,” he said.
He said the lack of institutional memory and appreciation of academic research had contributed to the inertia.
"It’s time to end the delay. I urge the President, Parliament, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to take decisive action in declaring Odum the national plant of Ghana.
“I believe in Ghana. I believe we can still do what’s right before it’s too late,” he added.
