The Northern Regional Forestry Services Division of the Ghana Forestry Commission has begun planting some five hundred thousand (500,000) seedlings across the northern region as a target for the 2024 ‘Green Ghana Day’ campaign to boost its greener cover.
The Green Ghana Project launched in 2021 by President Nana Akufo-Addo, aims at restoring the country’s depleted forest cover and contribute to the global fight against climate change.
The government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has targeted to plant at least 10 million seedlings nationwide this year in order to improve the nation’s reforestation and ecological sustainability efforts.
The Northern Regional Director of Forestry Commission, Mr Kwasi Frimpong, in his remarks during the Green Ghana on Friday (June 7, 2024), said the region comprises of two forest districts which includes Tamale and Yendi with each area expected to distribute and plant about 250, 000 seedlings to meet the required total target of 500, 000.
He maintained that, human survival depends on trees for which reason, planting of these trees should be a concern for all.
Mr. Frimpong further admonished the general public to help plant and Nurture trees to grow to maturity so that we can end the benefits associated with planting of trees.
“During ‘Green Ghana Day’ seedlings are distributed freely of charge. Government has shouldered the cost so during this period you walk to any our offices and distribution centres you will be able to get seedlings free of charge.”
For his part, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu underscore the impact of the Green Ghana initiative saying it will back the lost vegetation that the country is enduring through human settlement and other factors which are contributing significantly to deforestation situation.
“This is the regional launched that we have just witnessed and I’m of the view that the location was good, and we pray that what we have planted grows to add to the vegetation around.”
“If you look around especially the area that we have planted, we realise that there’s a lot of plain land here and we need to make sure that we protect the vegetation.” He added
The Minister was optimistic that the government is committed in ensuring the sustainability of the trees.
