By Kizito CUDJOE and Deborah Asantewaah SARFO
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has announced plans to plant at least 10 million seedlings across the country as a target for the 2024 ‘Green Ghana Day’ campaign – the country’s flagship environmental initiative to boost its green cover.
The latest drive, according to the minister, is expected to increase the cumulative tally of trees planted under this initiative to 52 million… marking a substantial contribution to the country’s reforestation and ecological sustainability efforts.
The Green Ghana Project, launched in 2021 by President Akufo-Addo, is aimed at restoring Ghana’s depleted forest cover and contributing to the global fight against climate change.
To date, the project has successfully planted over 42 million tree seedlings – with an impressive survival rate according to recent assessments.
This year’s exercise is scheduled to take off on Friday, June 7, 2024 under the theme ‘Growing for a Greener Tomorrow’.
The Minister of Lands, speaking at the 2024 edition of ‘The One Student, One Tree Initiative’ launch at the Abuakwa State College in Kyebi, Eastern Region, disclosed that the Forestry Commission will distribute free seedlings at District and Regional offices and other public locations.
The selection includes, he noted, timber, shade, ornamental, fruitand multi-purpose trees, all chosen for their suitability to local climate conditions.
Minister Jinapor urged citizens to participate in large numbers, emphasising the importance of collective action in environmental conservation.
The ‘One student, One-Tree Initiative’ is a key component of government’s flagship afforestation programme, which is under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
It aims at inculcating in students at second cycle institutions the culture and spirit of planting and nurturing trees. The launch in the region forms part of the Okyenhene’s Silver Jubilee celebration.
The minister asserted that the initiative is aimed at empowering every student to plant and nurture one tree. “This single act, when multiplied by thousands, can lead to significant environmental transformation. As we unite with our students to observe the 2024 edition of this remarkable initiative, it is important to underscore the significance of trees in mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity and supporting human well-being,” he stated.
He added that the initiative transcends the activity of planting to fostering a sense of environmental stewardship in students. It embodies the collective responsibility to protect and ensure a sustainable future.
“By participating in this programme, we hope to inculcate in our students the importance of caring for the environment for our numerous other goods which underpin our economy, our society and, indeed, our very existence. Our students must develop a connection to nature, expand their understanding of ecological principles and enhance their sense of responsibility to the world they will inherit.”
The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin – also speaking at the ceremony – advised citizens, especially the youth, to prioritise survival and sustainability of forest reserves and the environment over greedy gains.
According to him greed, self-centeredness and other reckless behaviour influence citizens to destroy the environment, flora and the forest reserves; hence, he urged the youth to ensure that they don’t allow such attitudes to affect their decisions.
The Okyenhene, reiterated that no amount of wealth is sufficient to restore a degraded forest reserve, citing the level of destruction in America caused by the hurricane as a vivid example.
“Fortunately for us, the extent of environmental and ecosystem degradation that has been occurring in other nations has not reached our shores. This is a result of the advice our elders gave us. We therefore pass on this same advice to you, asking that you do not be reckless, irresponsible and greedy about what you can gain today and forgo what will let you survive tomorrow,” he urged.
The Municipal Chief Executive of Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly, Akosua Asabea Annor, described the initiative as a “means of preserving the future” and “a brilliant masterstroke” respectively.
She said older generations have played their part in preserving the green vegetation, yet some aspects of the environment have been destroyed. She therefore charged the youth to guard and protect their future for posterity.
As part of the launch, Okyenhene planted a commemorative tree within the confines of Abuakwa State College – and this step, according to the minister, signals every student and citizen to plant a tree on June 7.
