The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, together with traditional authorities in the Northern Region on Tuesday launched the 2024 edition of the Green Ghana Day on the theme ‘Growing for a Greener Tomorrow’ targeting to plant 10 million tree seedlings across the country.
This is the 4th edition of the Green Ghana Day and formed part of the government’s aggressive afforestation and reforestation programme.
Launching the programme, the lands and natural resources minister, said the climate crisis was worsening by the day, hence the need for everyone to come on board to cultivate the habit of planting more trees each day in their various institutions and homes.
He emphasized that the Green Ghana Project stands as a vital initiative implemented by the government, led by President Akufo-Addo, aimed at addressing the long-standing issue of forest degradation.
The project not only aims to counter the ongoing destruction of forests but also plays a significant role in the global battle against climate change.
“Available data shows that between 2010 and 2015 alone, the amount of forest our country lost, far exceeds the area of forest cultivated between 1963 and 2016, a whopping 53 years, which stands at 157,300 hectares,” he said.
He added that, under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership since 2017, Ghana has witnessed a determined push for afforestation and reforestation efforts. As part of the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy, nearly 721,000 hectares of forest have been cultivated from 2017 to 2023. This commitment shows the government’s dedication to environmental conservation and sustainable forestry practices.
The minister praised the chiefs in northern Ghana for their proactive measures in safeguarding the forest cover of the Savannah zone. Their support, along with the decisive ban imposed by the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs on all tree-harvesting activities within the Savannah Region, highlights a collective commitment to preserving the region’s precious natural resources.
He urged them to continue efforts in raising national awareness about the importance of united action in restoring degraded landscapes across the country. Emphasizing the significance of planting and nurturing trees, particularly among the younger generation.
Jinapor announced that over the past three years of project implementation, they have successfully planted approximately 42 million trees nationwide, surpassing the set targets for the designated period. This accomplishment reflects a significant stride towards their goals, both within and outside reserves, in fostering environmental sustainability and conservation efforts.
The minister also made appeal to the chiefs and residents of northern Ghana who fell short of their targets last year. He encouraged them to unite and mobilize their communities to surpass their goals this year.
He however commended the Ndan Ya-Na Mahama Abukari for the support he gave since the implementation of the Green Ghana Project.
The Northern Regional Minister emphasized that the government needs everyone’s support to achieve positive results consistently. He urged sub-chiefs to take the lead in the Green Ghana Project by planting more trees in their respective areas. Highlighting environmental challenges like climate change, deforestation, and pollution, he stressed the critical importance of greening Ghana for a sustainable future.