By Bright Ntramah
President Akufo-Addo has rallied the support of all Ghanaians to preserve and protect the environment through tree planting.
He said Ghana will work to ensure its contribution to climate solutions is positive, transformative, and sustainable.
Speaking at the 2023 edition of the Green Ghana Day, the President was proud of the successes chalked up in the first two years of the implementation of the project.
He encouraged all students across the country to participate fully in the tree planting exercise and contribute their share in the fight against climate change.
The Green Ghana Initiative seeks to create enhanced national awareness towards the restoration of degraded landscapes in the country, inculcate in the youth the values of planting and nurturing trees and their associated benefits, mitigate climate change, and protect watersheds, among others.
Green Ghana campaign
This year, the Green Ghana campaign has set a target of planting at least 10 million tree seedlings on Green Ghana Day. Tree seedlings to be planted will include native timber tree species, shade trees, multi-purpose leguminous trees, ornamentals and fruit trees.
The 10 million seedlings are half of the 20 million seedlings planted last year.
This is to enable the Ministry and its agencies to devote some time and resources to nurture the millions of trees planted over the last two years. President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed the commitment of Ghana to save the earth and protect livelihood.
He noted that the focus for this year, “our forest our health” is a clarion call for the need to preserve the forest for survival.
He said the government remains fully committed to protecting the environment and its people and contributes to global efforts in protecting the environment.
The President encouraged all to join in the tree-planting exercise.
President Akufo-Addo and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources planted trees at the University of Ghana Basic School Park to symbolize the official opening of the Green Ghana Day.
Traditional rulers, the Clergy, and members of the Diplomatic Corps among others also took turns to plant trees.