The Green Ghana Day was launched as a key component of a comprehensive national program aimed at reforesting and afforesting Ghana, with the goal of reclaiming lost forest areas and aiding in efforts to combat climate change.
On June 7, 2024, at the Ministry of Roads and Highway Training School, Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council kicked off the 2024 event under the theme “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow,” urging everyone to play a role in the care and survival of the newly planted tree seedlings.
The aim for the region was to plant a total of 700,000 tree seedlings across all communities, schools, institutions, degraded lands, and areas that have been deforested, spanning across municipalities and districts within the region.
In his speech, the Hon. Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, highlighted the importance of not just planting trees but ensuring their survival as a critical part of the afforestation efforts. He pointed out the alarming loss of one thousand (100,000) acres of natural forests in the last ten years due to illegal activities like mining, chainsaw operations, and poor agricultural practices.
The Hon. Eastern Regional Minister called upon Traditional leaders, Religious Organizations, Faith-based Groups, Educational Institutions, Civil Society Organizations, Social Groups, Political Parties, Businesses, the Corporate Sector, citizens, and residents to join forces in restoring Ghana’s forest cover.
Mr. Isaac Noble Eshun, the Eastern Regional Manager of the Forestry Services Division of the Forestry Commission, emphasized the vital role of forests and trees in human life, noting their contributions to the environment by producing oxygen, enhancing air quality, mitigating climate change, conserving water, protecting soil, and supporting wildlife. Mr. Isaac Noble Eshun also mentioned that reforestation and the restoration of degraded landscapes could significantly reverse the damage inflicted by human activities on the Earth. He highlighted the government’s Green Ghana initiative, which encourages every citizen and resident to participate in tree planting activities for the country.
The Member of Parliament for New Juaben North Municipality, Akwasi Adjei Boateng in a remark, noted that, the Green Ghana Project was launched by the government in 2021 as part of an aggressive afforestation/reforestation agenda to restore the lost forest cover of Ghana and contribute to global efforts of fighting climate change with its associated adverse consequences of frequent droughts, perennial floods, temperature rise, erratic rainfall patterns, food insecurity and poverty.
Nana Osei Bonsu Sempe 11, the Chairman for the occasion pledged his outmost support to making sure the planted tree seedlings grow as expected.
The event was attended by representatives of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as Traditional Authorities and Faith Based Organizations in Koforidua.