Mahama to ban School furniture made from wood
President John Dramani Mahama has announced a bold and environmentally conscious move to ban the use of wood for school furniture in Ghana.
The announcement, made on June 5, 2025, during the launch of the One Child, One Tree initiative at the Atomic Cluster of Schools in Kwabenya, marks a major shift in Ghana’s approach to education infrastructure and environmental protection.
Planting Trees but Cutting Them Too?
Speaking to students, teachers, and government officials gathered to mark World Environment Day, President Mahama highlighted the contradiction between promoting afforestation while still cutting down trees to manufacture furniture for schools. “We can’t be planting trees and cutting them down at the same time,” he stated, calling the current practice “counterproductive.”
He announced that a directive will soon be issued to halt the use of wood in manufacturing desks, chairs, and other school furniture nationwide. Instead, schools will transition to furniture made from recycled plastic and metal, ushering in a new era of sustainable and climate-conscious learning environments.
The president explained that this policy aims not only to protect Ghana’s dwindling forest cover but also to encourage recycling, reduce pressure on natural resources, and support the local manufacturing of eco-friendly furniture.
Galamsey, Forests, and the Fight for Ghana’s Future
The president didn’t end there. He used the platform to address the broader environmental challenges facing the country, especially the menace of illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Mahama revealed that through intensified operations involving the military, police, and the ministries responsible for lands and the environment, over 300 excavators used in illegal mining have been seized. He added that nine forest reserves were previously “no-go zones” due to the activities of heavily armed illegal miners, but thanks to recent government intervention, eight of those have now been reclaimed.
According to President Mahama, Ghana currently has 288 forest reserves, and 44 of them are under threat due to illegal mining. He assured the nation that his administration is committed to restoring all the affected reserves, and warned that if the destruction continues unchecked, rivers, streams, and other critical water sources would dry up.
“Our forests are not just trees. They are the source of our rivers, our clean air, and our livelihoods. If we destroy them, we destroy our future,” he emphasized. “This fight is not just for today. It is a fight to secure a healthy environment for our children and generations yet unborn.”
“One Child, One Tree”: Building a Greener Ghana
The president launched the One Child, One Tree initiative to instill environmental consciousness among the youth. Under this programme, each Ghanaian child will be tasked with planting and nurturing a tree as part of their civic responsibility.
The campaign, led by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), will work in partnership with the Ministry of Education, school authorities, environmental NGOs, and local assemblies to ensure that trees are planted in schools and monitored regularly.
According to President Mahama, the long-term vision is to create a new generation of environmentally responsible citizens, capable of leading the fight against deforestation, pollution, and climate change.
“The tree a child plants today will provide shade, fruit, and oxygen tomorrow. It will hold the soil together and protect our rivers. That is how we build a sustainable Ghana,” he said.
Collaborative Action and Progress
President Mahama commended the collaboration between MESTI, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Ghana Armed Forces for their ongoing efforts in the fight against galamsey. He noted that despite the challenges, “real progress” has been made in reclaiming illegally occupied lands and replanting trees in affected areas.
He also called on traditional authorities, local leaders, and communities to play their part in protecting forest reserves and reporting illegal activities. “The state cannot do this alone. Every Ghanaian must become a steward of our environment,” he appealed.
Public Reactions and Next Steps
Though President Mahama’s announcement has been widely praised by environmentalists, some critics have raised concerns about the cost and availability of alternative furniture materials such as recycled plastic and metal. Industry players are urging the government to provide technical and financial support to local manufacturers to ensure a smooth transition.
Education experts have also highlighted the need for quality standards, safety checks, and proper maintenance for the new type of furniture, especially in rural and underserved schools.
Nevertheless, the ban on wooden furniture in schools is being seen as a pioneering policy that could inspire similar efforts across Africa, where deforestation continues to be a major threat to the environment.
A Legacy of Sustainability
As the world grapples with climate change, Ghana’s approach under President Mahama’s renewed leadership is being closely watched. By aligning education, environmental protection, and innovation, the government hopes to lay the foundation for a greener, more resilient nation.
The president concluded his speech with a hopeful message: “Let us rise above our challenges. Let us make Ghana an example of sustainable growth, not just in Africa, but in the world.”
With the One Child, One Tree initiative gaining momentum and plans underway to transform school infrastructure, Ghana is taking meaningful steps toward environmental stewardship and generational impact—one tree, and one desk, at a time.