The problem
Trees are being stripped at an alarming rate with little understanding from the community on the benefits of trees many have been cut down leading to a loss of over 100,000 acres of forest in the last decade alone, The UN reports Ghana has one of the highest losses of rainforest in the world with only a fifth of what it was a century ago. Deforestation in Ghana leads to floods as the forest can not soak up the rainfall brought by tropical storms which in turn leads to crops and plants being destroyed which is often the only form of income for many families. One of the major effects of this flooding is also destruction of property and loss of lives both humans and animals. Flooding also leads to soil erosion making soil infertile and flooding also brings serious health risks from water born diseases. Deforestation also leads to increased global warming , soil degradation and biodiversity loss. The problem is often a lack of understanding of these consequences due to a lack of education within the community. There is also a need for trees to be planted around local schools for shade for the children to work and play and also provide fresh fruit as many do not have the money or resources for access to fresh healthy fruit.

The solution
Tree planting is a great way to increase student interest in their local environment and achieve academic goals. Most students lack knowledge about environmental afforestation because they lack practicality and understanding of what trees can provide. When students plant trees, they can see for themselves the structure of trees; learn what they need and how they grow and the benefits of planting these trees first hand. Teachers can use the planting process to discuss the benefits trees provide, while including many subjects that their classes are studying. As trees mature, the trees can be a continuing, personalized way of relating what they have learned in books to visible, living examples. Students become aware that they can play a role in protecting the environment through personal involvement. Ultimately, it is hoped that the experience will help them make intelligent decisions about conservation and use of our valuable natural resources hence the need to plant trees in some selected schools within the district. We propose 30 schools with an average of 400-500 children each school planting at least 10 fruit trees & 10 shade trees.

What we expect to achieve
This project will contribute to clean air, provide shade to cool the temperature and allow children to continue education away from the heat and add beauty to the neighbourhood. Growing the fruit with children will also offer a unique chance to teach them about the importance of healthy foods and nutrition, and the children are provided healthy snacks to supplement their limited food supply. The fruit is also shared with impoverished neighbours who would not be able to afford healthy fresh fruit, they also and deliver shade, soil conditioning, food for wildlife and food for animals while educating the community on the importance of trees and limiting deforestation, improving the soil conditions, limiting flooding and reversing global warming. The most appropriate and sustainable solution is to support and encourage schools to establish their own tree woodlots with emphasis on diversity in tree species, with a view to achieving self-sufficiency to improve on nutrition and make schools liveable places adequate for study meanwhile make the difference in reversing environmental degradation in Ghana.