TAGDev 2.0 Programme- UCC Leads Tree Planting Campaign to Combat Climate Change

As part of its commitment to climate action and community engagement, the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0),University of Cape Coast (UCC) has launched a tree planting initiative.

The exercise took place in Ayensudo, a farming community in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality of Ghana’s Central Region.

Youth leaders preparing for the tree planting exercise

Organised by the TAGDev 2.0 coordinating unit at UCC, the activity constitutes the programme’s broader vision to promote climate-resilient agricultural and food systems while instilling values of inclusivity, equity, and sustainability in university-community partnerships. The initiative aims to plant and nurture 400,000 trees over a four-year period.

Some of the seedlings planted during the exercise were coconut, acacia, and milletia.

Dr. Zikiru Shaibu, Associate Programme Officer of TAGDev 2.0 Ghana introducing leaders of the community to youth associations

The Ayensudo exercise was carried out in collaboration with key youth groups at UCC, including the Young Agripreneurs Forum (YAF), Agribusiness Students’ Association of Ghana (ABSAG), and Youth in ICT for Agriculture (YICT4Ag). This inter-association collaboration provided a platform for students to channel their diverse knowledge and passion into tangible climate action.

Explaining the purpose of the exercise, the Associate Programme Officer of TAGDev 2.0, Dr. Zikiru Shaibu, underscored the importance of promoting environmental stewardship and community empowerment.

Line and pegging

Dr. Zikiru noted that the tree planting exercise served as a climate intervention and more importantly as an educational moment for all involved.  He said the exercise would inspire a renewed sense of environmental responsibility among students, faculty, and community members alike.

“As the trees grow, they are expected to contribute to improved air quality, enhanced biodiversity, and greater climate resilience in the area. More importantly, the exercise underscores the power of collective action in addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges, climate change” he stressed.

Dr. Zikiru said the symbolic planting of each tree also marked a shared commitment between UCC and the Ayensudo community toward a greener, more sustainable future.

Planting of seedlings by youth leaders

Speaking during the event, the Chief of the community, Nana Afaako II lauded the initiative and expressed appreciation for selecting Ayensudo as the starting point of such a visionary programme. He affirmed the community’s readiness to care for the trees and support future climate-resilience efforts.