As the world gears up to celebrate the International Day of Forests (IDF) on 21st March 2026, the Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources (MLNR) in collaboration with the Forestry Commission (FC), is pulling out all the stops to mark this important day. This year’s theme, “Forests and Economies,” highlights the critical role forests play in driving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.
One of the key activities lined up for the celebration is a thrilling debate competition between two of Ghana’s top universities – the University of Ghana (UG) and the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). The debate, scheduled to take place on March 19, will bring together bright minds from both institutions to speak for or against the topic: “The economic value of forests should be measured solely in terms of timber and non-timber forest products.”
Sequel to this, a balloting session was held at FC Headquarters, where representatives of the two universities balloted for which them will speak “For” or “Against” the debate topic.
The University of Ghana, represented by Mr. Kwaku Woelorm Agbedanu, a Level 200 BSc Business Administration student, and Ms. Abundance T. Adeleye, a Level 400 B.A. Psychology student, both of whom are executives of the UG Debate Society, picked the slot to speak “FOR” the debate topic.
The UPSA Accra, represented by Mr. Richard Graham, a Level 400 Bachelor of Laws student and President of the UPSA Debate Club, picked the slot to speak “AGAINST” the debate topic.
In a brief statement, the Executive Director of the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), Dr. Richard Gyimah, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive, Dr. Hugh Brown, commended the representatives of the two institutions for agreeing to be part of the debate competition and the celebration of the IDF 2026 in general. He said, “the debate is targeted at the youth who will be the future front liners of the various institutions and it is therefore, important that they understand forest protection and its associated issues. The FC is ready to offer help toward preparations for the debate competition. I wish you well”, he concluded.
The International Day of Forests, 21st March, was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. It is a Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of trees, forests and trees outside forests. On this day, member countries are encouraged to organise local and national events which center on forest protection and tree planting to commemorate the Day.
Since the institution of the International Day of Forests, the MLNR and FC have organised several awareness creation and education campaigns on tree planting to commemorate the Day. In 2025, the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, launched the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative (T4L) on 21st March, at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region to commemorate the Day. An assessment of tree seedlings planted under the T4L Reforestation Initiative carried out at the end of 2025, revealed that over 31 million tree seedlings were successfully planted across the 16 regions of the country.
