Step out, plant a tree, make sure it grows – President Akufo-Addo admonishes Ghanaians

President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on Ghanaians everywhere in the country to plant a tree in their locality and to make sure that they nurture them to growth.

Speaking at the 2023 edition of the “Green Ghana Day” held at the University of Ghana Main Park, under the theme: “Our Forests, Our Health” President Akufo-Addo said tree planting in Ghana is the country best bet to contributing to the quest for climate change solutions

“My government remains fully committed to protecting our environment, our people and contributing to global efforts to halt climate change. Government will therefore continue to explore all avenues to enhance our forest cover through afforestation and reafforestation programmes and protect our natural resources through community-based management and conservation initiatives.

“Today, your contribution is to step out, take a seedling, plant it, and make sure it grows. I encourage each and every one of you my fellow Ghanaians and indeed, all persons living in Ghana, young and old, men and women, urban and rural, to join me on this historic day, in this national tree planting exercise” President Akufo-Addo said.

Target review

President Akufo-Addo in his remarks indicate that “it was important that [the State reviewed its] target downwards this year to devote some time and resources to nurturing the over 23 million trees that have survived over the last two years” since the “Green Ghana” initiative started in the country.

The target for 2023 according to the Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources has been reviewed to ten (10) million trees. The three-point strategy adopted by the ministry are to plant in degraded forest reserves across the country, plant within and around farms and to maintain already planted trees from 2021 to date.

“Today, we have another opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to saving planet earth and protecting our livelihoods. The theme for this year; “Our Forest, Our Health” is a clarion call for the need to preserve out forest for our own survival” the President said.

“This is a duty we own not only to the current generation, but also to generations yet unborn. We must go with the spirit of nationalism, solidarity, and most importantly, love for ourselves, our country and our planet” he added.

Students initiative

On the new one student, one tree initiative introduced by the Lands and Natural Resources ministry, President Akufo-Addo commended the ministry for birthing the idea. He called on all students in the country to embrace the initiative and participate full in same.

“I commend the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for instituting the one student, one tree initiative alongside this “Green Ghana” project. Through this, we can inculcate the culture of tree planting in our youth and hopefully, jettison the culture of impunity that leads to the destruction of our forest” Akufo-Addo said.

“I encourage all students across the country to participate fully in this national exercise and contribute their share to the fight against climate change” President Akufo-Addo added.

Culture of tree planting

Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor on his part observed that the ministry will continue to introduce interventions aimed at protecting the country’s forest reserve, the environment and the beautification of the nation’s landscapes.

“The Green Ghana Day plays a major role in all these efforts we are making. It is on this day that we awaken the consciences of the Ghanaian people about the importance of trees in our lives” Abu Jinapor said.

“It is on this day that we strive to inculcate in our people, particularly students and the youth, the culture of tree planting. It is on this day that we scale up national consciousness on tree planting” he added.

“Green Ghana” project

In 2021, under the distinguished leadership of the President Akufo-Addo, the Green Ghana Project was launched as part of an aggressive afforestation/reforestation programme to restore the lost forest cover of Ghana and to contribute to the global effort to fight climate change.

The maiden edition of the Green Ghana Day was held on 11June 2021 during which seven (7) million tree seedlings were planted from an initial target of five (5) million.

The main objectives of the “Green Ghana Day” initiative were; “to create enhanced national awareness of the necessity for collective action towards restoration of degraded landscapes in the country.

The other objectives are to inculcate the values of planting and nurturing trees and associated benefits in the youth, to mitigate climate change, enhance livelihoods for rural communities through their engagement in the production of tree seedlings and to beautify our communities and environment.

Available trees seedlings

Among the trees that are available for planting are: Timber (Eucalyptus, Mahogany, Ofram, Ceiba, Emire, Wawa, Teak, Cedrela, Mansonia, Rosewood), Fuelwood (Cassia, Acacia, Milletia, Albizia), Shade Trees (Rain Tree, Montalis, Flamboyant), Ornamentals (Polyalthia, Mimusop, Royal Palm, Weeping Willow, Ixora, Orchid Tree, Tree of Life), Fruit Trees (Mango, Coconut, Orange, Lemon, India Almond, Avocado, Cashew).

Reporting by Wilberforce Asare in Accra

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