Green Ghana: We’ll exceed five million trees target, says Forestry Commission
On Friday 11 June 2021, Ghanaians are being encouraged to plant trees in their communities as part of moves to preserve the environment
- "I must say Asaase Radio has been very supportive of this effort and it is not just a Forestry Commission effort, it’s a national effort being led by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources with support from other organisations."
The Forestry Commission is optimistic of exceeding government’s target of planting five million trees across the country on Friday under the Green Ghana Project.
Speaking with Nana Yaa Mensah on The Asaase Breakfast Show, Hugh Brown, the director of operations at the Forestry Commission, said his outfit has received overwhelming support from Ghanaians for the much-awaited exercise.
“I realistically hope we will exceed the target… we are looking at the country as a whole, and we’ve had for example groups coming together who want to support the tree planting at the Achimota Park,” he said.
Brown added: “There are groups which have identify locations for planting… and we are encouraging such people to do that. We have about 30 million Ghanaians and if each decides to plant a single tree, we should be able to meet the target.”
He said deliberate efforts are being made to engage individuals and institutions that will participate in the exercise to continue nurturing the seedlings beyond Friday.
“In the past we have had a number of tree planting events that were just events. And once the trees were planted everybody goes their way, this year, for this particular programme, we are actually targeting institutions who have the capacity to also maintain the trees and seedlings and also individuals who will plant the trees in their homes,” Brown said.
Asaase Radio’s role
The Forestry Commission, according to him, has so far distributed 2.4 million seedlings for planting ahead of the nationwide exercise.
Brown further commended Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited, operators of Asaase Radio Accra (99.5), Asaase Radio Kumasi (98.5) and 123 FM, Tamale (99.7), for the tremendous support for the Green Ghana Project.
“I must say Asaase Radio has been very supportive of this effort and it is not just a Forestry Commission effort, it’s a national effort being led by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources with support from other organisations.”
He said the Forestry Commission through the help of Asaase Radio will also be distributing free seedlings at the Trade Fair Centre and National Theatre for planting.
Plant and nurture
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, in April announced moves by the government to plant five million trees in a day across the country as an initial programme under its Green Ghana Project.
The trees are scheduled to be planted on 11 June this year. Ghanaians will be mobilised to take part in greening exercises on the day and to nurture the seedlings to maturity as a way of contributing to preserving the environment.
The exercise will commence with tree-planting by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice-President Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and the Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah.
Interest groups including traditional leaders, the security agencies, green activists and private sector players will also be galvanised to contribute their resources, energy and support to the project. Green Ghana aims to increase the country’s forest cover significantly.
Fred Dzakpata
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