Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has disclosed that the Green Ghana Day tree planting exercise exceeded the five million target.
He indicated that though planting figures are still being collated across the 16 regions, provisional figures from the Forestry Commission (FC) clearly show the exercise exceeded the intended target.
The Commission, he said, distributed over seven million seedlings of various tree species across the country and added that several requests are still trickling in for additional seedlings.
This, the Minister said, is a significant step to preserving the environment and the ecosystem, which will contribute to the ongoing global fight against climate change.
Hon. Abu Jinapor disclosed this in Parliament when he read a statement on the aftermath of the Green Ghana Day campaign on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
“The demand for seedlings was overly subscribed, the enthusiasm of individuals and corporate institutions to plant trees was enormous and this has awakened a new national consciousness on the need to plant trees,” he stated.
According to him, the Green Ghana Day, June 11, is just the beginning of a long-term Green Ghana Project to restore the lost forest cover of the country.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to ensure the survival of the trees planted as the government continues to enhance ongoing afforestation programmes.
He said, “I assure this House that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has put in place an elaborate strategy of continuous planting of trees. We are fully determined to Green Ghana.”
“With a tenacious spirit, resolve and focus, we must and will make our nation Green, environmentally sustainable, and beautiful.”
The Lands Minister expressed profound gratitude to the multitudes of people who participated in the national exercise and particularly to President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, for his foresight and support throughout the planning and execution of this ambitious national undertaking.
He expressed appreciation to Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin, the leadership and members of the House for suspending business of Friday, June 11 in full support of the Green Ghana Day.
He extended the nation’s gratitude to the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah; the former President of the Republic, H.E. John Agyekum Kufour, the Chairman and Members of the Council of State; the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare; the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin; the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II; the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu; the President and Members of the National House of Chiefs; Colleague Ministers of State; Members of the Diplomatic Corps; the Clergy; Civil Society Organizations (CSOs); Members of the Security Services; staff of various ministries; staff and students of the Ghana Education Service; Corporate Ghana for their exemplary leadership in supporting and planting trees on the Green Ghana Day.
And to all the ordinary citizens and residents of Ghana for their overwhelming co-operation and participation in the greening exercise.
Source: MyPublisher24.com