A massive drive to plant five million trees in Ghana began on Friday as part of a nationwide campaign to save depleting forest reserves.

Under the “Green Ghana” programme, the government provided free seedlings to people from all walks of life, including celebrities, officials, parliamentarians, traditional leaders and schoolchildren.

Religious and charitable organisations and heads of numerous ethnic groups also took part in Friday’s effort, while President Nana Akufo-Addo planted a memorial tree in the garden of Jubilee House, the government seat in the capital, Accra.