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The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has described the ‘Green Ghana Project’ as a major success as more than 30 million out of the 41 million seedlings planted between 2021 and 2023 have survived.
He explained that out of the seven million trees planted in 2021, 67 per cent survived with 72 per cent of the trees surviving out of the 24 million planted in 2022. Similarly, those planted in 2023 recorded 81 per cent survival rate out of the 10 million.
• Ms Fatimatu Abubakar (fourth from right) speaking at the meeting Photo: Ebo Gorman
Addressing the media ahead of the ‘Green Ghana Day’ scheduled for Friday, June 7, Mr Jinapor said as part of measures to ensure maximum survival rate, the Ministry had decided to maintain the 2023 target of 10 million (10,000,000) trees.
He said this is to provide the needed space for more resources to be given to all the trees planted over the period.
“This will give us space to devote some resources and attention to the trees planted over the last three years, while not losing momentum on our quest to restore our degraded landscape. The Government expects that we will receive the usual massive support this year to build on the successes achieved in 2021, 2022 and 2023,” he stressed.
Touching on the theme for this year’s day, he said “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow,” was carefully chosen to ensure focus on sustainability, environmental conservation and future well-being.
“This theme will enable us to push boundaries to contribute to the global efforts at tackling climate change to support our survival and the sustainability of our planet,” he said.
Mr Jinapor said as part of this year’s activities, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, would lead the entire nation via a commemorative tree seedling planting exercise, at the Nicholson stadium, Burma Camp, Accra on Friday.
He explained that out of the 10 million trees to be planted for this year’s edition, six million seedlings would be planted in degraded Forest Reserves across the country while four million would be planted within and around farms, along degraded watershed areas and within communities.
Tree seedlings to be planted he said would include selected timber trees, shade trees, ornamentals trees, fruit trees and multipurpose trees that will be suitable to the climate conditions in the various regions.
“Examples of seedlings to be planted include, Eucalyptus, Mahogany, Ofram, Ceiba, Emire, Wawa, Rosewood, Teak, Cedrela, Mansonia, Rain trees, Terminalia Mentalis, Royal Palm, Weeping Willow, Orchid Tree, Tree of Life, Mango, Coconut, Orange, Lemon, India Almond, Avocado, Cashew, Cassia, Acacia, Milletia and Albizia,” he emphasised.
The Minister said each of the 16 regions in the country had been allotted several tree seedlings to be planted, adding that “I, respectfully, implore all Regional Ministers to lead their various regions to exceed the appropriated targets by planting beyond their quotas”.
He also appealed to all Ghanaians and residents of Ghana, including chiefs and queen-mothers, religious and faith-based organisations, ministers, Parliamentarians, judges, public servants, civil servants, doctors, teachers, lawyers, nurses, private sector organisations, civil society organisations, students, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, development partners, artisans, and all persons living in the country to support his ministry to make this year’s event a success.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
