The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has indicated that the government exceeded the targeted 5million trees it anticipated to plant to mark the Green- Ghana Day.
According to the Minister, reports received from the Forestry Commission (FC) indicate that over seven (7) million seedlings of various tree species were distributed across the country against the Green Ghana planting target of five million trees.
“However, provisional figures from the Forestry Commission clearly shows that we exceeded the five million target eventhough, planting figures are still being collated across the sixteen (16) regions of Ghana”, he said.
The Minister made this known while making a statement on the floor of Parliament on the Green-Ghana Day, which saw the planting of over 5 million trees in the country.
Mr Jinapor indicated that the demand for seedlings was over-subscribed and the enthusiasm of individuals and corporate institutions to plant trees was enormous. This has awakened a new national consciousness on the need to plant trees.
“As I speak now, Mr. Speaker, several requests are still trickling in for additional seedlings. This is a significant step to preserving our environment and ecosystem, which will enable us make our modest contribution to the ongoing global fight against climate change”, Mr Jinapor noted.
He said the Ministry has put in place an elaborate strategy of continuous planting of trees and indicated that they are fully determined to support Green Ghana.
Mr Jinapor noted that the Green Ghana Day is just the beginning of a long-term Green Ghana Project to restore the lost forest cover of our country.
He, therefore, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure the survival of the trees planted and encouraged every Ghanaian who planted a seedling to nurture it to maturity.
He expressed his gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for his foresight and support throughout the planning and execution of the project.
He also thanked Parliament for suspending the business of the House on that day to help plant trees.He indicated that the manner in which Parliament supported the project made it a non-partisan national exercise.
“Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely fitting that I specially indicate the appreciation of government to the entire leadership and Members of this august House for suspending the business of the House on Friday, June 11, in full support of this important national effort.”
That aside, he also expressed his appreciation to some key individuals in the country, including the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah; the former President of the Republic, H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor; the Chairman and Members of the Council of State; the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare; the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Overlord of Dagbon Yaa NaaAbubakari Mahama II, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu; the President and Members of the National House of Chiefs.
Commenting on the statement, Minority Leader,Mr Haruna Iddrisu indicated that in order to reap the benefits of the exercise in future, MPs should be made to give yearly reports and account of the growth status of the trees they planted in their various constituencies.
He commended the government and Ghanaians for the enthusiasm they exhibited towards the program.He called on the government to consider planting other economic trees for the benefit of the country.
The Speaker, Mr Alban S.K.Bagbin also consented to the idea of making MPs present annual reports on the progress of their trees. He called on all members to take proper care of the trees for them to grow.
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