Minister says seven million trees planted for 2021 Green Ghana Day costing GH₵12.8m

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has disclosed that over seven million seedlings were planted across the country exceeding the target of five million trees for the 2021 Green Ghana Day Project.

He explained that out of the seven million trees, five million, four hundred thousand seedlings were procured by government at a cost of GH₵12.8 million whilst the Forestry Commission provided over one million seedlings from the nurseries of the Forest Services Division and six hundred thousand seedlings received in a form of donation.

Mr Jinapor made the disclosure when he appeared before the House to respond to a question by Mrs Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tempane who wanted to understand the state of the five million trees planted on June 11, 2021 (Green Ghana Day) and the total cost of the project.

The maiden Green Ghana Project was launched last year by President Akufo-Addo to create enhanced national awareness of the necessity for collective action towards restoration of degraded landscapes in the country, inculcate values of planting and nurturing of trees in the youth, mitigate climate change and beautify the communities and environment.

Mr Jinapor also informed Parliament that field monitoring assessment, conducted by the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) and the Forestry Commission, indicate that about 80 percent of the trees planted have survived and are doing very well.

He provided the names of the seedlings which were planted on the 2021 Green Ghana Day fruit trees and ornamentals include cashew, mango, coconut, avocado, citrus, bamboo, shea among others.

Source: GNA