By Gloria Anderson
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has announced the ambitious plans for this year’s Green Ghana Day. Under the theme “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow,” the 2024 edition aims to plant 10 million tree seedlings on June 7, 2024, as part of Ghana’s ongoing afforestation and reforestation efforts.
Addressing the media, Hon. Jinapor emphasised the critical role trees play in addressing environmental challenges such as climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity loss. “Trees are the lungs of our planet, vital to our survival and well-being,” he stated.
Since its inception in 2021, the Green Ghana Project has seen significant support from the public, with over 41 million trees planted in the past three years. Hon. Jinapor noted that the survival rates of these trees have been promising, with 67% in 2021, 72% in 2022, and 81% in 2023. “This means that we have some 30 million trees surviving to date, and our task continues to be to nurture them to full maturity,” he added.
This year’s event will focus on sustainability and environmental conservation, maintaining last year’s target of 10 million trees to ensure that resources can also be devoted to nurturing previously planted trees. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will lead the national tree-planting exercise at the Nicholson Stadium, Burma Camp, Accra.
The Minister outlined the distribution plan for the seedlings, “six million will be planted in degraded forest reserves, while the remaining four million will be planted on farms, along degraded watersheds, and within communities, including schools, churches, and recreational grounds.
Among the diverse species to be planted are Eucalyptus, Mahogany, Mango, Coconut, and Cashew. Hon. Jinapor called on all sectors of society to participate actively. “I appeal to all Ghanaians and residents of Ghana, our revered chiefs and queen-mothers, religious and faith-based organisations, and everyone else to support the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to make this year’s Green Ghana Day a success,” he urged.
Seedlings will be available for collection at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, District Offices of the Forestry Commission, and various designated public places on Green Ghana Day.
“Trees are indispensable to the health of our planet and our wellbeing. The statement that ‘when the last tree dies, the last man dies’ still holds true today as ever,” Hon. Jinapor concluded, calling on all to join hands to green Ghana on June 7.
In a statement, the Minister added, “We urge our friends from the media to carry this message across and mobilise our country in support of this noble undertaking.”
The Green Ghana Day initiative continues to be a testament to the country’s commitment to environmental conservation and the fight against climate change.
