Deputy lands minister, Benito Owusu-Bio says 85% of the 7million trees planted under the green Ghana project in June this year have survived.
This comes after the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) made an independent assessment of the Green Ghana Project across the nation in every district this year.
The report indicates that, of the 7,193,424 seedlings which were distributed to the 16 regions, 6,603,298 were verified to be planted of which 85 percent of the trees had survived.
Speaking at a press engagement Thursday, Benito Owusu-Bio said “we should pat ourselves very well for that because in the field of afforestation, 85% survival rate is a very good percentage and a very good mark,”
The Green Ghana Project which is an initiative by the government and implemented through the Forestry Commission and the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry is aimed at preserving the country’s depleting forest reserves and the environment.
Benito Owusu-Bio revealed that the project will continue in 2022 on June 11 with the plan to plant 20 million trees.
“In 2022, Green Ghana continues [and] it’s still going to be held on June 11 again but then we are praying that God will favour us with enough rains like we received this year so that next year’s event which we have planned to plant 20 million will become a very successful event.”
He explains that the government has allocated a budget line of 9.6 million for the project next year.
“Fortunately with the good work we did and with the participation of all Ghanaians, the government has now given us a budget line for Green Ghana 2022, and what was earmarked and has been budgeted for 2022 is GH¢ 9.6 million.”
To this end, he called on all stakeholders who ensured the success of the 2021 Green Ghana Project to do even more to ensure the success of the 2022 Green Ghana Project.
He assured that every tree planted will be well catered for.
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Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
