The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Lands and Forestry, Benito Owusu-Bio, has joined the Rotary Club to Launch its tree planting initiative.

The project dubbed: ‘One Rotarian One Tree initiative’ under the district 9102 Green Project, was launched today, Wednesday, 7th June, 2023.

Speaking at the launch, the deputy lands minister touted government’s agenda in fighting climate change with the Green Ghana initiative. He enlightened the club on the The Green Ghana project and revealed that the project was launched in 2021 by President of the Republic as part of an aggressive national afforestation/reforestation programme to restore the country’s lost forest cover and contribute to global fight against climate change.

Mr Owusu-Bio stated that the project has created a national awareness of the necessity of collective action towards tree planting.

“The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is fully committed to address deforestation and forest degradation and the Green Ghana Day initiative is one of many interventions being pursued by his Government… With the overwhelming support of Ghanaians and residents of our beloved nation including each one of you gathered here today, over 30 million trees have been planted since 2021 under the Green Ghana Project.”
Benito Owusu-Bio

Furthermore, Mr Owusu-Bio entreated members of the club to join the Ministry and it’s agencies on Friday June 9, to embark on the nationwide tree planting exercise led by the President Akufo-Addo, with the target of 10 million trees seedlings. Nonetheless, he acknowledged the Club’s tree planting exercise and urged members to not only plant the trees but also nurture them to maturity.

Lands ministry lauds Rotary Club on tree planting initiative

Subsequently, Mr Owusu-Bio assured the Club of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ readiness to support any initiative that seeks to promote Government’s efforts to address deforestation and forest degradation.

“We are therefore indeed excited about the One Rotarian One Tree initiative and look forward to a fruitful future collaboration and partnership with the Rotary Club.”
Benito Owusu-Bio

On behalf of the Sector Minister, Mr Owusu-Bio expressed gratitude to the Club for demonstrating leadership in providing many opportunities for communities in Ghana. He further thanked the Club for supporting Government’s efforts to “green” the environment and contribute to the global fight against climate change.

On his part, the District 9012 Governor, Rotarian Victor Yaw Asante, launching the project, stressed that this year, the Rotary Club would ensure all trees planted are carefully nurtured to grow fully into big trees. He stated that one key role of the Rotary club is to transform communities and lives.

Additionally, he explained that as the oldest humanitarian institution, it is their responsibility to deal with some challenges of the environment through planting of trees and that the club will continue to do its best to protect the environment and make it a better place for the future.

A Medical Director of Pantang hospital, Dr. Frank Baning in his welcome address indicated that the tree planting exercise by the hospital in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Rotary club is a means to inculcate the values of tree planting and its associated benefits to Ghanaians while contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.

He applauded government’s Green Ghana project initiative and drew the attention of the Ministry to unwaton destruction of the ecosystem of the country through illegalities of some people, and the encroachment of state lands and forest reserves.

Lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu, Member of Parliament for Madina constituency, described the tree planting exercise as the biggest legacy for future generations which must be practiced. He charged management of the hospital to ensure that the trees planted will be will be well nurtured into maturity.

Meanwhile, the FNB Bank Ghana led by their Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Victor Yaw Asante, has presented a cheque of GHC20,000 Ghana cedis as the bank’s quota to support government’s aggressive afforestation and reafforestation agenda; the Green Ghana project.