Source: newsthemegh.com
11,530,672 seedlings were distributed and planted nationwide as part of the 2023 Green Ghana Day, exceeding the 10 million seedling goal.
This was disclosed by Mr. John Allotey, the CEO of the Forestry Commission, during a news conference held on Wednesday in Accra following Green Ghana Day.
In order to assist restore the country’s degraded forest cover, Ghanaians from all walks of life, including lawmakers, chiefs, students, schoolchildren, judges, and public workers, planted trees last Friday, June 9, at this year’s Green Ghana Day celebrations across the country.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo established The Day in 2021 as a part of the government’s ambitious reforestation and afforestation drive. The effort aims to rebuild the nation’s lost forest cover, which was decimated by unauthorized small-scale mining and timber cutting.
Five million trees were supposed to be planted in the first round, but more than seven million seedlings were actually planted.
The initiative also intends to instill in citizens—especially the younger generation—the ideals of planting and caring for trees in order to lessen the consequences of climate change and enhance the environment.
In his presentation, Mr. Allotey noted that four northern regions—the Northern Region, the North East Region, the Upper East Region, and the Savannah Regions—had just begun commemorative planting while they awaited the rains before engaging in full planting activities.
According to him, the Ashanti Region exceeded the regional goal with a 137% distribution rate, or 3,147,306 actual seedlings delivered from a 2,300,000 beginning objective.
In addition to the Ashanti Region, he pointed out that the Greater Accra and the Eastern, Western North, Central, Bono, Ahafo, and regions had achieved their goals.
From an initial goal of 50% in forest reserves, he said that 61.3% were purportedly planted there, while 38.7% were purportedly planted in residences, road medians, and other sites.
Cashew, oil palm, coconut, orange, and timber species were the top five seedlings provided in accordance with demand.
The CEO of the Forestry Commission praised the role the media played in enabling the smooth distribution of the seedlings on the Day and added that the Commission’s district offices have access to all information surrounding Green Ghana.
Additionally, he praised certain notable private plantations and churches that provided seeds.
He named the top five churches that deserved praise as the Presbyterian Church, the Church of Pentecost, the Apostolic Church, the Catholic Church, and the Methodist Church.
He also praised Sakam Savana Co. Ltd., Global Green Gold, and Ecoplanet Bamboo West Africa while praising the Muslim Community in general and the Chief Imam in particular for their unwavering support.
Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio, a deputy minister in charge of lands and forestry who also serves as national chairman of the 2023 Green Ghana Planning Committee, commended all Ghanaians for their efforts in supporting the Green Ghana Day in a variety of ways. In order to increase the survival rate over the previous years, he urged effective monitoring and management of the newly planted seedlings.