Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, has reinforced the urgency of expanding environmental conservation efforts through the Green Ghana Project.
This, he said, has become imperative against the backdrop of alarming statistics indicating record-breaking temperatures and ecological threats.
Addressing the launch of the 2024 Edition of the Green Ghana Day on Tuesday 16th April 2024 at the Auditorium of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, Abu Jinapor emphasized the remarkable achievements of the initiative since its inception three years ago.
Over 42 million trees, he said, have been planted nationwide, surpassing targets and exceeding expectations and set a bold new goal for the upcoming Green Ghana Day: to plant an additional ten million trees.
This year’s theme, “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow,” emphasizes the long-term vision of the project, focusing on nurturing young saplings to full maturity to bolster their impact on climate resilience.
He appealed to all segments of society, urging individuals, community groups, corporations, and government bodies to come together in support of this critical cause and the essential role of collective participation and commitment to the project’s expansion.
The revered Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II, in a keynote address delivered on his behalf, emphasized the significance of the Green Ghana Day Project initiated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and expressed optimism about surpassing previous milestones.
The Yaa Naa underscored the ambitious goal set for the forthcoming campaign and stated, “In the year 2021, 7 million trees were planted. In subsequent years more trees were planted. This year the target is to plant over 10 million tree seedlings.”
He stressed the pivotal role of afforestation in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, particularly in the northern regions where erratic rainfall patterns pose significant challenges to livelihoods.
He lauded the initiative’s potential to enhance economic opportunities, preserve biodiversity, and mitigate the threat of bushfires, thereby safeguarding the environment for future generations.
In a passionate plea, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II advocated for a concerted effort to promote the cultivation and protection of shea trees, a vital economic resource for the region’s inhabitants.
He urged the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel Jinapor, to spearhead initiatives aimed at expanding shea tree cultivation and safeguarding existing wild trees from annual bushfires.
The Overlord reiterated his unwavering commitment to championing environmental conservation efforts within the Dagbon Kingdom and beyond.
He called on his paramount and divisional chiefs to actively participate in the Green Ghana Day initiative and ensure its success through diligent oversight and reporting.
In his welcome address Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Shani Alhassan Shaibu highlighted the collective dedication to environmental sustainability while underscoring the importance of proactive measures against pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, deforestation, and pollution.
Mr. Shaibu expressed gratitude for the attendees’ commitment, recognizing it as a testament to their willingness to safeguard the planet for present and future generations.
He called for inspiration from past achievements and ensured that actions were sustainable while acknowledging the indispensable contribution of stakeholders such as guests, chiefs, and the press to the success of such endeavours.
The Green Ghana Project continues to be a beacon of hope and action as the nation confronts pressing climate issues, with the government leading efforts to ensure a sustainable future through significant ecological investment.
Source: Mypublisher24