About 3.7 million tree seedlings have been raised by the Forestry commission in Eastern Region for planting across the region on Friday during Green Ghana Tree Planting.
This year’s Green Ghana exercise is focusing on restoring the country’s forestry, for which reason most of the trees will be planted in forest reserves, particularly areas depleted by illegal mining.
The Eastern Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Nana Poku Bosompem said the seedlings have already been distributed to the various districts.
”Some districts have already received seedlings which include timber species, ornamental and fruit seedlings for onward distribution to individuals, schools, and churches among others”
According to him, 80% of trees planted last year survived due to strategy which put the burden of nurturing on the individuals who planted them.
There will be a float through some principal streets to create awareness before the launch of the Regional Green Day at the Koforidua Technical University today.
The Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong has been whipping up public support for the exercise.
According to the Minister, trees and forests at large provide vital ecological services which help to control climate change. Additionally, it provides medicine for the quality healthcare of humanity and habitat for the fauna.
Meanwhile, a Lecturer with the faculty of Environment and Conservation at the University College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies (UCAES) in Akyem Bunso, Dr. Kwaku Adu has suggested to the government adopt individual or community ownership strategies to sustain the green Ghana Project.
The Green Ghana Day was instituted in 2021 by Government, under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, to create a collective action towards the restoration of degraded landscapes in the country, mitigate climate change and inculcate in the youth the values of planting and nurturing trees and their associated benefits, he continued.
20 million trees are expected to be planted this year as against Seven million trees planted during the maiden edition last year.
Dr. Kwaku Adu believes communities and individuals must be entrusted with ownership responsibilities to nature, protect and conserve the trees.
“I will advise that we use an approach called community ownership approach or individual ownership approach. What I mean is a community can be entrusted with about 100 or 50 trees. You have to take charge of that, you have to ensure that they grow. You nature it, water it, weed around it make sure it grows. Moreover, we can adapt an individual tree ownership approach where each member of the community can be given a tree or two to take charge. So I think with that we can be able to sustain it”. Dr. Adu said.
He said the University College with a core mandate to ensure environmental sustainability has nursed many tree species to be planted this year in support of the initiative.
“When it was launched the first, school we engaged our students. We planted a whole lot of trees. This year too, thankfully we have started nursing trees to be planted”.
Asare Frimpong, facility manager for Bunso Aboretum said different plant species have been made available for supply to the public for the green Ghana Project.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
