Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor has called on CSOs, Traditional Leaders, Clergy, Imams, Politicians, Fellow Politicians and General Public to join hands and together green Ghana on June 9.
The Minister made these remarks while launching the 2023 Green Ghana in Accra.
Addressing Journalists on Wednesday, he said "Distinguished Guests Ladies, and Gentlemen, trees play a crucial role in our survival and the survival of planet earth. The statement that “when the last tree dies, the last man dies,” still holds true today. Let us, therefore, all join hands together, and Green Ghana on Friday, June 9, 2023, the Green Ghana Day"
The Minister ceased the opportunity on behalf of the President Akufo-Addo, thanked Ghanaians, as well as all residents of Ghana, for their cooperation and continuous support since the Green Ghana Project was launched in 2021.
"As part of Government’s aggressive afforestation and reforestation programme to restore our degraded landscapes"
"On the maiden edition, we targeted five million (5,000,000) trees. With your support, over seven million (7,000,000) trees were planted. Last year, we raised our ambition and targeted at least, twenty million (20,000,000) trees. Again, you supported us, and over twenty-four million (24,000,000) trees were planted; bringing the total planted trees over the years to in excess of thirty-one million (31,000,000) trees."
"So far, field Assessment Report shows that, on the average, we have seventy-two percent (72%) survival rate last year as compared to eighty-one (81%) in 2021. While adequate measures were put in place to ensure the survival of all trees planted, a number of external factors account for the survival rate, including rainfall patterns, wildfires and soil fertility"
The Lands Minister further mentioned that the survival rate shows that Ghana still has some twenty-three million (23,000,000) trees to nurture.
"It is for this reason that this year, we have revised our target downwards to ten million (10,000,000) trees. This will give us space to devote some resources and attention to the trees planted over the last two years, while not losing momentum on our quest to restore our degraded landscape. It is the expectation of the Government that, this year, we will receive the usual massive support to build upon the successes achieved in 2021 and 2022"
Explaining further, he hinted that government has decided to organise this year’s Green Ghana Day, under the theme “Our Forests, Our Health,” to signify the importance of forests in lives, and to remind the public of the many health and related benefits derived from forests.
"Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am, therefore, pleased to announce that the 2023 Edition of the Green Ghana Day will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023 under the theme ‘Our Forests, Our Health.’ The official launch of the Green Ghana Day will be done by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, in the next Month, May 2023.
We are urging you, our friends from the media, to carry the message across, and mobilise our country in support of this noble project"
"Let me use this opportunity to appeal to all Ghanaians and residents of Ghana, our revered chiefs and queen-mothers, religious and faith-based organisations, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Judges, public servants, civil servants, Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers, Nurses, private sector organisations, Civil Society Organisations, students, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Development Partners, and all persons living in Ghana, to support the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to make this year’s Green Ghana Day a success"
"As we did last year, we have compartments for adoption by private institutions, and we will brand these compartments with their names and logos. And as always, seedlings will be made available here at the Ministry, the District Offices of the Forestry Commission, and at various designated locations, for collection on the Green Ghana Day"
Mr. Jinapor revealed that detailed schedule of the seedling distribution and pick-up points will be published in due course.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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