Ghana Communities Fight to Save Ancient 'Tree of Life

When Musah Ayariga noticed his village's centuries-old baobab tree producing fewer fruits each year, he didn't stay silent. He joined his neighbors in Bansi, Ghana, to raise the alarm about a species that has sustained their families for generations.

The baobab tree, called the "Tree of Life" across northern Ghana, provides fruits rich in Vitamin C, leaves for nutritious soups, and income for thousands of families. A single healthy tree can produce over 500 fruits per season, helping pay for school fees and basic needs.

But in Binduri District and across the Upper East Region, something is changing. Trees that stood strong for hundreds of years are producing less fruit, losing leaves, and sometimes collapsing during storms that have become more frequent and intense.

Vida Ndago has lived with her family's baobab for years. "When I moved here, the tree was very healthy," she says. "We harvested leaves for nutritious soups. But for the past three years, we've seen poor fruit production."

Rather than accept the loss, communities are demanding answers. Residents are documenting the changes, reaching out to researchers, and calling for urgent help to understand what's happening and how to reverse it.

Their voices are being heard. Adrian Patrut, a chemist at Babeș-Bolyai University in Romania, has led a major survey examining more than 60 large baobab trees across Africa. His research, published in Nature Plants, is helping scientists understand the pressures these ancient trees face.

"These are trees which may live for 2,000 years or more," Patrut explains. His team believes rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are the primary threats, and they're working to identify protection strategies.

Savannah ecology expert Carla Staver from Yale University has joined the growing conservation effort. Scientists are now mapping vulnerable baobab populations and studying which trees show resilience, hoping to develop targeted protection measures.

The Ripple Effect

The attention from Binduri's communities is creating momentum across Africa. Conservation groups are developing new protection programs, and local governments are beginning to recognize baobabs as priority species deserving dedicated resources.

In Ghana, the call for research is opening conversations about climate adaptation strategies that could help not just baobabs but entire ecosystems. Communities that depend on these trees are being connected with agricultural experts exploring ways to support tree health through soil management and water conservation.

Musah remains hopeful but urgent in his message. "If people can help us solve this problem, we will be very happy," he says. "We need help."

That help is starting to arrive. The combination of community advocacy, scientific research, and growing awareness means the baobab's story isn't over. From Binduri to research labs across the world, people are fighting to ensure the Tree of Life continues feeding families for another thousand years.