By Edzorna Francis Mensah
The Speaker of Parliament, S. K. Alban Bagbin has disclosed that the Green Ghana Project has symbolized an investment in the collective future, for which reason he urges all Ghanaians to actively participate in this annual nationwide tree planting exercise.
According to him, planting trees is not merely an ecological gesture but “it is a profound act of love and responsibility toward our nation and health”, to protect and promote the country’s vegetation cover.
Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin who led the national tree planting exercise at the premises of Ghana’s Parliament used the occasion to encourage all who participated in today’s exercise to be the custodians of the seedlings they have planted-visit them and nurture them regularly as they grow into majestic symbols of hope, resilience, and sustainable development.
He said, “Through our collective efforts, we can ensure that Ghana achieves the purpose of the Green Ghana Day exercise, and secure a greener and brighter future for generations to come”.
Green Ghana Day event at the Parliament
Speaking on the theme for this year’s Green Ghana Day, “Our Forests, Our Health,” Mr. Speaker underscores how critical it is to preserve the forests and vegetation for the well-being of humanity.
Recalled the fact that “in the previous Green Ghana Day event, parliament planted 400 trees.
Today we will add 300 more trees, bringing the total to 700. I have been informed that about 80 percent of the trees planted survived.
I believe we can do better by increasing the survival rate”.
“The significance of forests, the lush lungs of our planet, plays an irreplaceable role in mitigating the impacts of climate change”, he added, and he again stressed that, “they act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide and replenishing our atmosphere with oxygen, ensuring that the air we breathe remains pure and invigorating”.
The speaker submitted that “it is important that we recognize the immense value of these ecosystems and take proactive measures to restore and conserve them.
“The benefits of trees and forests are manifold: they purify the air we breathe, filter harmful particles and pollutants, and ensure the well-being of our citizens, especially those in urban areas where air pollution is high.
They serve as nature’s guardians, regulating water flow, mitigating the risks of flooding, and preserving our precious water bodies. Trees also provide shelter and habitat for countless species, sustaining biodiversity and preserving the delicate balance of our ecosystems”.