To mark the 4th Edition of the Green Ghana Day, Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has disclosed that 10 million trees will be planted.
The event, under the theme: “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow” scheduled this Friday, June 7, 2024 aims to build on the successes of previous years.
“To ensure maximum survival rate, we have decided to maintain the 2023 target of ten million (10,000,000) trees”, the minister stated.
Samuel A. Jinapor, addressing the media at a news conference in Accra on Tuesday, this week, emphasised the urgency of addressing environmental challenges through reforestation efforts.
“Climate change, air pollution and loss of biodiversity are issues that affect us all. One of the most effective and immediate actions we can take to combat these challenges is planting trees. Trees are the lungs of our planet, vital to our survival and well-being,” Mr Jinapor stated, highlighting the crucial role of trees in maintaining ecological balance.
The Minister expressed his gratitude to all Ghanaians for their support of the Green Ghana Project since its inception in 2021, as part of the government’s afforestation and reforestation program.
The Minister highlighted the success of past editions of Green Ghana Day, noting that over 41 million trees have been planted since the project’s inception.
“On the maiden edition, we targeted five million (5,000,000) trees. With your support, over seven million (7,000,000) trees were planted.
“In 2022, 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.
“Last year, you, once more supported us to plant over ten million, seven hundred thousand (10,700,000) trees, bringing the total number of trees planted over the years in excess of forty-one million (41,000,000)”, he added.
He emphasised the importance of sustaining and nurturing the existing trees while continuing to plant new ones to restore degraded landscapes.
To ensure a high survival rate of the planted trees, Mr. Jinapor announced that the focus for 2024 would be on planting 10 million trees, maintaining the same target as the previous year.
The allocated seedlings will include a variety of tree species such as Eucalyptus, Mahogany, Teak, Mango and Coconut, chosen to suit the climate conditions in different regions across the country.
He continued that, of the 10 million trees to be planted this year, 6 million seedlings will be planted in degraded Forest Reserves, while 4 million will be distributed within farms, watershed areas and communities.
The Minister urged Regional Ministers to exceed the allotted targets and encouraged various sectors of society, including government officials, religious leaders, students and businesses, to actively participate in the tree planting exercise.
Furthermore, the minister indicated that private institutions will have the opportunity to adopt specific compartments for tree planting, which will be branded with their names and logos.
The seedlings, he said, will be made available at designated locations for collection on Green Ghana Day, ensuring widespread participation in the tree planting initiative.
“And as always, seedlings will be made available at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the District Offices of the Forestry Commission and at various designated public places, for collection on the Green Ghana Day”, the Minister emphasized.
The Minister reiterated the crucial role trees play in maintaining the health of the planet and the well-being of communities.
He called on all and sundry to participate actively in the tree-planting exercise, emphasising the wide-ranging impact of such collective efforts.
“It is the expectation of Government that, this year, we will receive the usual massive support to build on the successes achieved in 2021, 2022, and 2023,” he said.
