Out of a targeted Twenty million (20,000,000) tree seedlings to be planted in degraded and deforested landscapes in the sixteen (16) regions of the country, the Eastern Region has targeted planting Two Million and Five Hundred Thousand (2,500,000) tree seedlings across the 33 Municipalities and Districts Assemblies in the Region. These trees included forest tree seedlings, and ornamental and fruit tree seedlings.
Honourable Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong said this when he launched the regional Green Ghana project at Koforidua Technical University to officially commenced the planting of tree seedlings an initiative instituted nationwide by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo a year ago.
Speaking on the theme “Mobilising for a Greener Future”. Hon. Acheampong called on Traditional leaders, community members, farmers, teachers and students, churches, Muslim communities, and other religious groups and identifiable groups to embrace the project to ensure that the national effort aimed a making Ghana greener was achieved.
He also urged critical institutions such as MOFA, Ghana COCOBOD, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NADMO, the Security Agencies, Lands Commission, and Water Resources Commission, among others, to join hands in making the tree planting project a success.
Accounting for the 2021 project, Hon. Acheampong indicated that the Eastern Region exceeded its target of planting 750,000 seedlings and distributed and planted not less than Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand (950,000) tree seedlings with a national average of 80% success.
The Executive Director of For the est Service Division of Forestry Commission, Madam Edith Abrokwa commended the President for showing enough commitment to proving the forest cover of the country.
She said the importance of planting trees has been well-emphasised o r the years but what was missing was sustainable action on the part of the leadership and public participation.
The Chairman for the occasion, Nana Twumasi Dankwa, Gyaasehene of New Juaben Traditional Area, on behalf of the traditional authority, pledged their continuous support to ensure that the environment was protected for both the current and future generations.
He urged the forestry commission and other stakeholders to work together to ensure that the seedlings planted were nurtured to grow to serve the purpose for which it was planted.