More than 300 tree seedlings were planted during the exercise
In a determined effort to tackle environmental degradation and promote sustainable land use, the Development Chief of Liati Wote, Torgbe Tudedzi I (known in private life as Panou Eddo Sodo Appolinaire), led a major community-wide tree-planting campaign on Friday June 5, 2025.
The event, held under the theme “Ati, xexeame katã fe akpoxornu!” an Ewe expression meaning “The tree is the world’s hope” mobilized hundreds of local residents who came together with a shared purpose: to restore degraded lands and improve the ecological health of their community.
More than 300 tree seedlings were planted during the exercise, including over 100 Odum trees, teak varieties, and other indigenous species known for their ecological and cultural value.
These efforts aim to revitalize local biodiversity, mitigate the effects of climate change, and safeguard natural resources for future generations.
Torgbe Tudedzi I highlighted the urgent need for environmental stewardship across Africa.
“Africa’s next generation deserves a clean, green environment. That is why we are planting trees today, to ensure that those who come after us inherit a sustainable future,” he said.
Drawing from his experiences traveling across the continent, he lamented the widespread destruction of forests without replanting.
“We have been cutting down trees indiscriminately without any efforts to replace them. One of the major contributors to this crisis is the unchecked activities of chainsaw operators who destroy our forests with no regard for regeneration,” he noted.
The tree-planting campaign was launched in direct response to escalating threats from illegal logging and unsustainable land-use practices.
It underscores a broader commitment to environmental conservation, climate resilience, and intergenerational responsibility, values strongly championed by traditional authorities and local stakeholders.
The initiative was organized in partnership with Jolinaiko Ecotours, a local tourism-focused organization, and Stepping Stones for Africa (Green and Clean Liati Wote), a non-profit committed to grassroots development and environmental preservation.
AM/KA
