After the massive participation of Ghanaians during the Green Ghana Day on June 10, 2022 the deputy minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, has urged the tree planters to ensure that they nurture the seedlings.
“We need to make conscious efforts to nurture the trees by watering them, protect them from destruction, prevent fire and weed under them, until they grow into maturity,” he advised.
He made this known in his thank you message yesterday to Ghanaians for observing the Green Ghana Day.
According to him, Ghana is fortunate to have good rains at the moment and he expects a high survival rate of the plants this year, more than the 85 percent survival rate last year.
The Ministry, he disclosed, has put in place a Monitoring and Assessment Team, under the Chairmanship of Francis Manu-Adabor, who is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee, to undertake comprehensive field assessment of trees planted this year.
For him, Ghanaians have clearly demonstrated that they are committed to support the government’s efforts to restore our degraded landscapes, beautify our environment and also fight climate change and its adverse impacts on national development and livelihoods.
He specially expressed his gratitude to H.E the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for leading the nation through a colorful commemorative tree planting ceremony at the Efua Sutherland Children Park.
He also thanked former Presidents J.A. Kuffour and John Dramani Mahamma; Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin; the Chief of Justice, Kwasi Anim Yeboah; the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Akosua Frema Opare.
Others include; the Ga Mantse, Nii Teiko Tsuru II; the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II; the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin; the Overlord of the Dagbon Traditional Area, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II; the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Sharubutu Osmanu; the Chairman and Members of the Council of State; the President and Members of the National House of Chiefs, Colleague Ministers of State and Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Clergy and faith based organizations, CSOs, the Security Services and Staff of various Ministries and the General Public.
Mr Benito Owusu-Bio also expressed appreciation to the “Forestry Commission, the National Alternative and Livelihood Employment Project (NALEP), the Ghana Forest Investment Programme (GFIP), the Forest Plantation Development Fund Board; Parks and Gardens, Richie Plantations and other Private Plantation Growers for the great job done in organising and making over 20 million seedlings readily available for planting on the Green Ghana Day across all the 16 regions. “
He concluded by urging the Media to continue the extensive awareness and sensitisation of the general public on the importance of trees and the need to plant even more beyond the Green Ghana Day.
