The Paramount Chief of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II has cautioned the Akufo-Addo Administration to ensure that it preserves the country’s forest reserve for the future.
The Okyehene made these pronouncements after a delegation from the Forestry Commission led by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Allotey paid a courtesy call on him st his Palace on Monday.
Addressing the leadership from the Forestry Commission, the Okyehene said "Ghanaians cannot plant trees today for galamsey to take place tomorrow. Government must preserve the forests for future generations.
The Paramount Chief also tasked his people and Ghanaians to embrace the Green Ghana Day project which is scheduled for June 10, 2022.
He also noted since Green Ghana has the tendency of sustaining the future, he is appealing to all to embark on the exercise, plant a seedling and ensure it grows.
“Green Ghana sustains our future, I, therefore, urge all citizens to get hold of the seedlings, wherever they are made available, plant them and watch them grow. No one is going to get rich doing this but is it a service that will enhance our living and our environment so plant a tree today and watch it grow”
"I am very delighted the government has seen the need to plant trees as they are regulators of temperatures everywhere around the world which keeps us alive. The world is united ecologically and therefore when we harm the ecological system, we harm ourselves"
The Okyehene registered his displeasure about tye illegal felling on trees adding that persons involved in such acts are selfish.
"I am asking the people of the Eastern Region set the pace. You are not doing this for the President, or for me but for yourselves and your generation. Also, you are not only planting trees, you are planting your future” Taking his turn, the CEO of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey commended the Okyehene for his laudable initiative in Environmental Protection.
"We are here to notify you about Land Ministry’s two-fold Strategy for the 2022 Green Ghana Day. We have two prompt strategies that are to plant 10 million trees in the forest reserves and 10 million in other places like we did last year"
"With your leadership and support, last year during Green Ghana, the Eastern Region exceeded its target of 500, 000 thousand trees as we planted 700, 000 trees and we’re grateful”
Mr. Allotey was full of praises for the Okyehene for his Okyeman Environment Foundation which has commenced a tree planting exercise to plant 25 million trees across all towns and villages.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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