In an earnest effort to combat the pressing environmental challenges of our time, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has announced the forthcoming Green Ghana Day, set for June 7, 2024.
The announcement was made during a meeting addressed by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor on Tuesday.
Green Ghana Day, now in its fourth year, is part of the government’s aggressive afforestation and reforestation programme aimed at restoring Ghana's degraded landscapes.
This year’s theme, "Growing for a Greener Tomorrow," emphasizes sustainability, environmental conservation, and the well-being of future generations.
“Climate change, air pollution, and loss of biodiversity are issues that affect us all,” stated Mr. Jinapor.
“One of the most effective and immediate actions we can take to combat these challenges is planting trees. Trees are the lungs of our planet, vital to our survival and well-being.”
The 2024 edition aims to plant 10 million tree seedlings across the country.
Six million of these seedlings will be planted in degraded forest reserves, while the remaining four million will be distributed to farms, watershed areas, and various community locations such as road medians, homes, schools, churches, offices, and recreational parks.
The initiative has garnered widespread support since its inception. In 2021, the first Green Ghana Day saw over seven million trees planted, surpassing the initial target of five million.
The following year, the target was raised to 20 million trees, with over 24 million planted.
Last year, over 10.7 million trees were planted, bringing the total number of trees planted to over 41 million. Survival rates have improved significantly, with an average survival rate of 81% in 2023.
Mr. Jinapor highlighted the importance of maintaining the momentum while ensuring the care of previously planted trees.
“To ensure maximum survival rate, we have decided to maintain the 2023 target of 10 million trees. This will give us space to devote some resources and attention to the trees planted over the last three years, while not losing momentum on our quest to restore our degraded landscape.”
The Green Ghana Project received a ceremonial launch on April 16, 2024, by Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II, underlining the commitment to environmental conservation.
A significant event preceding Green Ghana Day was the launch of the "One Student One Tree" initiative in Kyebi on June 3, 2024, encouraging every student to participate in tree planting.
On Green Ghana Day, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will lead the nation in a commemorative tree planting exercise at Nicholson Stadium, Burma Camp, Accra.
The project includes a diverse array of tree species suited to various climatic conditions across the regions, including timber trees, shade trees, ornamental trees, fruit trees, and multipurpose trees.
The Minister called on all Ghanaians, including revered chiefs, queen mothers, religious and faith-based organizations, public servants, private sector organizations, civil society organizations, students, and the diplomatic corps, to support this initiative.
“Trees are indispensable to the health of our planet and our well-being,” Jinapor emphasized.
“The statement that ‘when the last tree dies, the last man dies,’ still holds true today as ever. Let us, therefore, join hands, and green Ghana on Friday, June 7, 2024.”
Seedlings will be available for collection at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, District Offices of the Forestry Commission, and designated public places on Green Ghana Day.
Private institutions can adopt compartments of 128 hectares, branded with their names and logos, to further support the initiative.
As Green Ghana Day approaches, the nation prepares to come together once more in a unified effort to ensure a sustainable and greener future.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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