The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the British High Commission have marked the Green Ghana Day at the Queen Elizabeth II Education Foundation in Accra.
The Green Ghana Day forms part of an aggressive reforestation strategy of the Government to restore the lost forest cover of the country and contribute toward global efforts to fight climate change and other adverse impacts on lives and livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Harriet Thompson, the British High Commissioner, expressed profound appreciation to the Government and the Ministry for their tireless efforts in greening Ghana. She encouraged the public to participate in the exercise as it has tremendous benefits for humans and the environment.
“Trees are precious to us. They help keep this hot temperature down and provide homes for nature and wildlife. They also help clean our water bodies and the air and, most importantly, help mitigate the negative effects of climate change. We’re looking forward to joining the Ministry to green Ghana together on June 10.”
Ms. Harriet Thompson
Ms. Harriet and Mr. Owusu-Bio both planted trees to mark the day.
One Student, One Tree initiative
Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio, Deputy Minister of Lands, said the nation would plant at least 20 million trees on Friday, June 10, to commemorate the Green Ghana Day, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Mr. Owusu-Bio expressed appreciation to the British High Commission for collaborating with the Ministry to celebrate the Green Ghana Day and commended the school authorities for hosting the event and believed it would take a collaborative effort to protect the environment.
Mr. Benita Owusu-Bio, the Deputy Minister of MLNS, said it was imperative to encourage students to support the recovery process of depleted forest cover ravaged mainly through activities of illegal miners.
He then spoke about the “One Student, One Tree” initiative and urged every Ghanaian, especially students, to actively participate in the exercise to build a sustainable future.
The 2022 Edition of the “One Student, One-Tree” initiative was launched at the Aggrey Memorial AME Zion Senior High School, intended to be marked every year.
The initiative by the Ministry is to teach the values of planting and nurturing trees to maturity in the youth.
Queen Elizabeth II Education Foundation pleads for Gov’t support
The Administrator of the School, Mr. Ebenezer Nartey, commended the Ministry and the High Commission for selecting the school to host the event and appealed to them to aid in rehabilitating the school.
The school gained its name as Queen Elizabeth II Day Nursery Centre when the Queen accompanied Ghana’s First President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, to visit the school on November 11, 1961.
The name had since been changed to Queen Elizabeth II Education Foundation and transformed from Creche and Nursery to Basic one to the ninth level.
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