"Government Did Not Give Us Any Budget For Green Ghana 2021 Project" - Deputy Lands Minister

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu Bio has revealed that the Akufo-Addo administration did not give his ministry any budget for the 2021 Green Ghana Project.

According to him, the Ministry executed the 2021 exercise with support from some donors.

Addressing Journalists in Accra on Thursday, he said "Government did not give us a budget for Green Ghana 2021"

He added that although there was no support from Government, his Ministry managed to organise a successful 2021 project without incurring any cost.

Hon. Benito Owusu Bio later revealed that the government on seeing the success of the maiden event has now made provision for the upcoming celebration.

"GHc9.6Million has been allocated by Government for 20Million seedlings" he revealed.

Mr. Bio stressed that the allocated budget will be used for the 2022 planting project.

He, however, added that despite Government allocating a budget for the celebrations, his outfit is ready to receive other contributions from other donors.

Hon. Benito Bio also told Journalists that the 2021 Green Ghana project chalked an 85% success.

He stressed that although there were some lapses, his Ministry will work on all feedbacks gathered in order to chalk a 100% success rate in 2022.

He charged the citizenry who partook in the 2021 exercise to visit their tree, check if it is alive.

"Let us visit where we planted our trees, check if it is alive, and take a selfie with it. This week will be 6 months since we held the 2021 exercise"

Responding to payments of salaries to workers in the Forestry Commission, the Chief Executive Officer, John Allotey noted that monies have been released.

"Monies have been released to their e-zwich. We don't handle fiscal cash. The money is not sitting in the Forestry Commission"

He also ceased the opportunity to commend the workers for their yeoman's job.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith