Out of 41m trees planted, 30m thriving – Jinapor

By Selorm GBORBIDZI, Accra

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has provided an encouraging update on the Green Ghana initiative, the government’s flagship afforestation program.

Since its inception in 2021, a total of 41 million trees have been planted, with a remarkable 30 million currently thriving at different stages of growth.

Addressing the press ahead of the 2024 edition of the project, scheduled for Friday, June 7, Jinapor highlighted the project’s significant achievements and provided a detailed breakdown of its progress.

He noted that the 2022 edition saw the highest number of trees planted in a single year, with 24 million trees.

“In the maiden edition, we targeted five million trees. With your support, over seven million trees were planted. In 2022, we raised our ambition to at least twenty million trees. Again, you supported us, and over twenty-four million trees were planted.

“Last year, you once more supported us to plant over ten million seven hundred thousand trees, bringing the total number of trees planted over the years to in excess of forty-one million,” Jinapor stated.

The Minister reported an impressive survival rate for the planted trees, with 67% in 2021, 72% in 2022, and 81% in 2023.

“This means that we have some thirty million trees surviving to date, and our task continues to be to nurture them to full maturity,” he added.

For the 2024 edition, Jinapor assured that all necessary preparations have been made, including the procurement of sufficient seedlings to meet the over 10 million target.

The project has garnered substantial support from the private sector, with the government allocating GHC 1.5 million for this year’s activities.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will lead the commemorative tree planting exercise at the Nicholson Stadium, Burma Camp in Accra.

This year’s theme, “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow,” is a call to action for all Ghanaians to contribute to global efforts in combating climate change.

The Minister urged the public to engage with the project, participate in the exercise, and take responsibility for nurturing the trees they plant.

Jinapor emphasized the government’s commitment to sustainable and responsible exploitation of the country’s timber resources. He assured that the Ministry, through its agencies, will ensure that every piece of timber exported will have a fledge license.

For the 2024 Green Ghana Day, the plan includes planting six million seedlings in degraded forest reserves and four million within and around farms, along degraded watershed areas, and in community spaces such as roadsides, homes, schools, churches, offices, and parks.

 The selection of seedlings will feature a variety of trees suited to different regional climates, including Eucalyptus, Mahogany, Ofram, Ceiba, Emire, Wawa, Rosewood, Teak, Cedrela, Mansonia, Rain trees, and many others, including fruit and multipurpose trees like Mango, Coconut, and Cashew.

The Green Ghana initiative continues to demonstrate the nation’s commitment to environmental sustainability and reforestation, with ongoing efforts to restore degraded lands and promote ecological balance.