Accra, June 11, GNA – Tree planting is not an event, but a continuous process, and therefore requires all well-meaning Ghanaians to get involved to restore the lost forest cover, Mr Alex Quaynor, National Chairman of the Lands Commission, has said.
Mr Quaynor gave the advice in Accra on Friday when he led the Lands Commission Ladies Association (LACOLAS) to plant different species of seedlings on its premises, to mark the Green Ghana Day.
He said trees played a critical role in the survival of humanity as it absorbed the carbon dioxide and produced oxygen and, therefore, it was imperative to plant trees on school compounds, backyards, along roads and everywhere for sustainability of the environment.
The National Chairman of the Commission said, for instance, planting trees at the edges of the roads helped to prevent erosion along the roads’ embankment and prolonged their lifespan.
Dr Mrs Theodora Mends, Chief Land Administration Officer and President of LACOLAS, on her part, underscored the need for all Ghanaians to plant trees and nurture them until they matured for sustenance of the environment and mitigate against the negative effects of climate change.
Earlier, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo planted a ceremonial tree at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park, Accra, to open the 2022 edition of the Green Ghana Day.
The government, through the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, has set a target to plant at least 20 million seedlings during the Green Ghana Day, on June 10.
It is expected that 10 million tree seedlings would be planted in forest reserves and another 10 million in off reserve areas.
The maiden edition of the Green Ghana Project in 2021 saw seven million seedlings planted nationwide, thus exceeding the five million initial target.
GNA