Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie Swears in 133 Notaries as Ghana Advances Environmental and Youth Empowerment Goals

In a significant week for Ghana’s legal, environmental, and religious sectors, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has overseen the swearing-in of 133 new Notaries Public, emphasizing a national call for integrity. This professional milestone coincides with the Forestry Commission’s ambitious "Tree for Life" (T4L) reforestation campaign targeting schools and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana’s (EPCG) preparations for its upcoming National Youth Week. Together, these developments highlight a multi-sectoral approach to strengthening the nation’s professional standards, environmental sustainability, and youth leadership.

Addressing the newly appointed Notaries Public in Accra, Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie stressed that their roles are foundational to public trust and the legal authentication of documents. He charged the 133 appointees to uphold the highest standards of truthfulness and accountability in their duties. Supporting this sentiment, Ghana Bar Association (GBA) President, Mrs. Afua Ghartey, urged the notaries to maintain independence and seek mentorship within the legal fraternity. Representing the new cohort, Abena Agyepomaa Agyekum noted that the forces of globalization have significantly increased the demand for diligent notarial services, necessitating a deep commitment to excellence in every official act.

On the environmental front, the Forestry Commission has intensified its Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative by taking the campaign directly to educational institutions. At a recent sensitization event at the Achimota Anglican Basic School in Greater Accra, commission officials Grace Barnes and Winifred Ohene-Wiafe educated students on the critical importance of reforestation. This school-based campaign is part of a larger nationwide strategy to plant at least 30 million tree seedlings this year. By engaging students in planting fruit trees like mango and avocado, the commission aims to foster lifelong environmental consciousness while providing schools with the tools and resources necessary for ongoing plant care.

Parallel to these efforts, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, is mobilizing its younger members for the National Youth Week, scheduled for August 1 to 9, 2026. Under the theme "Godly and Clean Generation – Building the Church," Reverend Dr. Lawson Kwaku Dzanku, Clerk of the General Assembly, has called on youth across all presbyteries to leverage their strengths for institutional growth. The week-long celebration will feature a diverse array of activities, including seminars on faith, finance, and relationships, as well as physical training, culminating in a national thanksgiving service intended to fund future youth empowerment programs.

These collective efforts reflect a broader national momentum toward capacity building and stewardship across different spheres of Ghanaian life. From the legal rigor demanded of new notaries to the environmental legacy being planted in schools and the moral development of the church’s youth, the country is actively investing in the pillars of a resilient society. The success of these initiatives will depend on sustained commitment from both public and private stakeholders to ensure that the standards of integrity, sustainability, and leadership established today are maintained for future generations.