Rotary Family Plants Over 650 Trees at Shai Hills

On 23rd May 2026, members of the Rotary Club of Accra-Airport, the Rotaract Club of Accra-Airport, students from the Al-Rayan International School and visiting Japanese and American nationals came together at the Shai Hills Resource Reserve for a large-scale tree planting exercise aimed at supporting environmental conservation efforts within the reserve.

Together, the volunteers planted over 1000 trees, continuing a three-year tradition led by the Club to contribute to the restoration and long-term sustainability of one of Ghana’s most important protected ecosystems.

Located in the Greater Accra Region, the Shai Hills Resource Reserve is one of Ghana’s oldest protected conservation areas and is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including antelopes, baboons, reptiles, birds, and several indigenous plant species. Beyond its ecological importance, the reserve also contains caves and historical sites linked to the Shai people, making it both an environmental and cultural landmark.

Unlike a forest reserve, which is primarily established to manage forest resources and regulate activities such as timber production, a protected resource reserve such as Shai Hills is dedicated to preserving biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and ecological systems for future generations. Conservation activities within such areas are therefore essential to maintaining ecological balance and combating the long-term effects of deforestation and climate change.

The collaboration between Rotary, Rotaract, and prospective Interact members from Al-Rayan International School highlighted the power of Rotary’s intergenerational network of service. By bringing together professionals, young adults, and students under a shared mission, the initiative demonstrated how Rotary-linked groups can collectively drive sustainable impact within communities and ecosystems alike.

As part of the exercise, a commemorative signpost was erected to symbolize the partnership between the Rotary Club of Accra-Airport and the custodians of the Shai Hills Resource Reserve: a lasting reminder of the Club’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

Club leaders noted that the participation of students from Al-Rayan International School also marked an important step toward strengthening youth involvement in community service and leadership development, with discussions underway regarding the establishment of a future Interact Club at the school.