Based on the survival rate of seedlings planted from 2021 to date during the Green Ghana Day, 30 million trees have survived out of over 41 million seedlings planted.
Speaking at a news briefing in Accra on Tuesday, June 5, ahead of the Green Ghana Day on Friday, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, reported that in the maiden edition of 2021, seven million seedlings were planted with a 67 per cent survival rate.
In 2022, 24 million were planted with a 72 per cent survival rate, and in 2023, 10.7 million were planted with an 81 per cent survival rate.
Mr. Jinapor said that since 2021, the government has disbursed eight million Ghana cedis for purchasing seedlings.
He noted that both private and public sector institutions, including faith-based organizations and the Ghana Armed Forces, have also supported the initiative by donating seedlings and logistics.
This year, the government has targeted planting 10 million seedlings nationwide, with the commemorative tree planting ceremony scheduled to take place at Burma Camp in Accra on Friday, June 7.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will lead the commemorative tree-planting exercise alongside other important dignitaries, including Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumani Kingsford Bagbin, and Chief Justice Mrs Gertrude Torkornoo.
This year’s Green Ghana Day is themed, “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow,” with six million trees expected to be planted in degraded forest reserves and four million in farms, parks, recreational grounds, along road medians, and in communities.
The Minister said plants such as ornamentals, fruits, and multi-purpose trees like Avocado, Royal Palm, Coconut, Mango, Milletia, Tree of Life, Lemon, Acacia, and Mansonia would be planted across the country.
Seedlings will be available at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and District Offices of the Forestry Commission.
“We urge you, our friends from the media, to carry the message across and mobilize our country in support of this noble undertaking,” he said.
Mr Jinapor appealed to all Ghanaians and residents of Ghana—revered chiefs and queen-mothers, religious and faith-based organisations, ministers, parliamentarians, judges, public and civil servants, health professionals, students and teachers, civil society organisations, members of the Diplomatic Corps, development partners, artisans, and all persons living in Ghana—to support the Ministry to make this year’s exercise a success.
He emphasised that trees are indispensable to the health of the planet and the well-being of citizens.
“Planting and conserving trees is essential for sustainable development and the resilience of ecosystems and human communities.”
“The statement that when the last tree dies, the last man dies still holds true today as ever. Let us, therefore, join hands and green Ghana on Friday, June 7, 2024, the Green Ghana Day.”
