The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called on Ghanaians to support the Green Ghana Day.
Speaking at the launch of the 2023 edition of the Green Ghana Day in Kumasi, an event slated for 9th June 2023, the Otumfuo expressed the need for Ghanaians to come out in their numbers to support the national tree planting exercise.
According to him, the Green Ghana Day presents an opportunity to show patriotism, exhibit Ghanaians commitment to the protection of forest resources, and to demonstrate their resolve to leave their children with a richer and greener Ghana.
The Asantehene lauded Government for initiating the Green Ghana Project. He underscored the importance of trees to environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and the survival of the planet. He indicated that it was because of these benefits that he is committed to planting some 2.5 million trees towards the protection of Lake Bosomtwe, in the Ashanti Region.
Furthermore, the Asantehene bemoaned the wanton destruction of forests due to illegal mining and illegal logging. He said chiefs and members of the local communities cannot feign ignorance about those involved in this destruction.
To this end, he promised to drive around the Ashanti Region and entreat chiefs whose lands have been degraded to come and answer.
“Government cannot do it alone. We must all get involved and support Government to come to grips with these matters.”
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
On his part, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, stated that over the years, there has not been any concerted effort to restore the lost forest cover. He noted that between 2010 and 2015 alone, the country lost one hundred and sixty thousand, two hundred and ten hectares of forest.
Moreover, the lands minister explained that between 1963 and 2016, only one hundred and fifty-seven thousand, three hundred hectares of forest was cultivated.
In light of this, Mr Jinapor revealed that even though Government has since 2017 been taking several measures to restore the country’s lost forest cover, the Green Ghana Project was necessary to create enhanced national awareness of the necessity for collective action towards restoration of degraded landscapes in the country.
Additionally, he explained that it would help inculcate values of planting and nurturing of trees in citizens, particularly among the younger generation, mitigate climate change and beautify communities and the environment.
Subsequently, he expressed his gratitude to all those who have supported the Programme for the past two years and iterated the call for all residents in the country to come out in their numbers to support the tree planting exercise on June 9, 2023.
Speaking at the launch of the third edition of the Green Ghana Day, the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Mr. John Allotey highlighted that for the past two years, Ashanti Region has been planting the most trees on Green Ghana Days.
He said over eighty-one percent of the trees planted in 2021 have survived while seventy-two percent of those planted last year have survived.
The event was also attended by the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Council as well as the Vice Chancellor of the University.
The Green Ghana Day was first launched by Government in 2021, under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources as part of an aggressive afforestation and reforestation agenda, to restore the lost forest cover of the country.
The maiden edition targeted to plant five million trees, but over seven million trees were planted. Last year, over twenty-six million trees were planted, exceeding the target of twenty million .
READ ALSO: Ato Essien Granted Lifeline To Liquidate Assets And Redeem Outstanding Monies To State
