The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor is calling on the general public to partake in the nationwide tree planting exercise slated for Friday, June 11.
According to him, the exercise is an important national undertaking that seeks to green the country.
Addressing Journalists, he said "The project is a bigger project which will take 4 to 5 years to implement fully and by which time our forest cover will be fully restored.
He added that the event will bring about the needed consciousness and awaken the country on the need for tree planting.
He also explained that the planting of trees should be the responsibility of all regardless of their political affiliation.
"It should be the responsibility of all regardless the political affiliation, the faith-based organization"
He also noted that the country's forest cover which stood at 8,200,000 hectares now stands at 1,600,000 which is a worry.
"In 2019, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia lead some 19 million people to plant some 350 million trees in a day, and the culture In Ethiopia is enhanced. This is what we are looking at doing in Ghana" he noted.
The Minister hinted that seedlings will be dotted out across the country.
The Ministry has worked out some 6 million seedlings of which will be available at its regional offices, malls among others.
He noted that President Akufo-Addo will be the first to plant a seed followed by the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia at the Jubilee House.
"Some 1.2. million school children will be planting trees on Friday. They will be in charge of the trees planted"
The Minister revealed that the seedlings which will be planted on Friday will be monitored to ensure that they are not tampered with.
He also disclosed that the Church of Pentecost and Presbyterian Church of Ghana has promised to plant 1million trees each on Friday.
"The Apostolic Church of Ghana is committed to planting 500,000 trees, Primary and secondary schools will plant 1,290,607 seedlings on that day. The Catholic church will also plant 1 million trees"
He called on the media to partake in the tree planting exercise.
"The President, Vice president, Speaker of Parliament, Chief Justice, Asantehene, Ya-Naa among other diplomats will partake in the tree planting exercise"
Below are some pictures and a video:
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith