Members of Diplomatic Corps Plant Trees to Mark Green Ghana Day
On Friday, members of the Diplomatic Corps planted trees in the Achimota Forest to commemorate Green Ghana Day.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Maher Kheir, highlighted the significance of Green Ghana Day. He noted that it addresses serious environmental challenges such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution.
“Our planet is in trouble and Ghana, like all our countries, is feeling the effects. Climate change is altering our weather, affecting our farms, and threatening jobs. Deforestation is destroying our forests, harming wildlife, and depleting our natural resources,” he said. “Pollution is contaminating our water, air, and soil, which is harmful to our health. Today, it’s not just about recognizing these problems but committing to solutions and taking action to protect our environment for future generations. On this Green Ghana Day, we need to understand that we all have a role to play.”
He urged all stakeholders to ensure change is achieved. “Every person, community, and organization can help. Small actions, when done by many, can lead to big change. To fight climate change, we need to use renewable energy, be more energy efficient, and support eco-friendly transportation. To stop deforestation, we need to plant more trees and protect our forests. Pollution requires our immediate attention. We should reduce waste, recycle more, and use fewer harmful chemicals,” he said.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps inspected the trees they planted in the past three years at the Ghana Seismological Observatory Center. They later planted more trees at the Achimota Forest Reserve as part of the activities to commemorate this year’s event.
Nana Akosua Agyeman Prempeh, Board Member of the Forestry Commission, expressed gratitude to the diplomats for their active participation in Green Ghana Day since its inception in 2021. “You have always graced this event with your presence, and we don’t take it for granted,” she said.
Green Ghana Day was instituted in 2021 by President Akufo-Addo to restore the degraded forest landscapes of the country. The theme of the 2024 edition is “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow,” with a target to plant 10 million tree seedlings, as last year.
Nana Agyeman Prempeh emphasized the importance of nurturing the over 40 million trees planted in the last three editions. “Planting the seedlings does not end the process; they must be nurtured to maturity,” she said. She advised the public to plant seedlings in permanent locations to ensure their longevity.
The Forestry Commission is also engaging students and youth groups to promote the importance of planting and nurturing trees. Some members of the Executive Management Team, Board Members, staff of the Forestry Commission, financial institutions, civil society organizations, and members of the media participated in the planting at the Forest Reserve.
Seedlings planted by the Diplomatic Corps included Militia, Tree of Life, Mansonia, Teak, and Mahogany. His Excellency Maher Kheir unveiled a plaque for Green Ghana Day 2024 at the Achimota Forest Reserve.
