The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has announced government’s plans to plant 10 million trees in the country this year as part of its efforts to combat deforestation and climate change.
According to him, the tree planting initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to reduce the country’s carbon footprint and promote sustainable development.
Samuel Abu Jinapor, at a Press Briefing held at the Ministry on 26th April 2023 said the official launch of the Green Ghana Day will be performed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in Kumasi in the month of May 2023.
He emphasized the importance of tree planting to restore degraded forests, protect biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Updating the media on the maiden edition of the Green Ghana Day, Mr. Jinapor indicated that there is a targeted 5 million trees to be planted in the year 2023.
He notes that last year the target was 20 million trees and with support from the public, over 20 million trees were planted bringing the total number of trees planted over the years to 30 million.
“So far, failed assessment report shows that on average, we had a 72% survival rate last year as compared to 81% in 2021. While adequate measures were put in place to ensure the survival of all trees planted, number of external factors accounted for the survival rate including rainfall patterns, wildfires, and soil fertility. Nonetheless, the survival ratios are that we still have some 23 million trees to nature” he said
Speaking on how the ministry intends to celebrate the 2023 Green Ghana Day he said government has decided to revise the target downwards to 10 million trees adding that “this will give us space to devote some resources and attention to the trees planted over the last two years, while not losing momentum on our quest to restore our degraded landscape.”
On his part, an Associate Professor at the Department of Crop Science at the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Michael Osei-Adu has welcomed the tree planting initiative action to combat deforestation and climate change in Ghana.
He said Climate change is making humans more vulnerable; the weather is becoming drier, and bushfires are rampant as such the country needs to be more concerned about the degradation of the environment in terms of landslide and erosion, currently more than ever.
To this end he said the tree planting initiative is sustainable and long term “and we are getting multiple functions of it.”
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Source: Enock Chanimbe/ATLFMNEWS
