The Minister for Lands and Natural Resorces, Samuel Jinapor has on behalf of the Government of Ghana expressed profound gratitude to Ghanaians for participating in the national exercise of planting at least five million trees on the Green Ghana Day last Friday.
He says provisional reports from the Forestry Commission indicate that the target was exceeded.
The Minister particularly singled out President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for his foresight and support throughout the planning and execution of the ambitious national undertaking.
Mr. Jinapor sent similar gratitude to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his support and participation in the exercise.
Aside from the general Ghanaian population, others who were appreciated for their exemplary leadership and support were the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin; the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah; the Chairman and Members of the Council of State; the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare; the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
The rest include the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II; the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu; the President and Members of the National House of Chiefs; Colleague Ministers of State; Members of Parliament; Members of the Diplomatic Corps; the Clergy; Civil Society Organizations (CSOs); Members of the Security Services; staff of various ministries; staff and students of the Ghana Education Service; Corporate Ghana.
“Above all, we thank the ordinary citizens and residents of Ghana for their overwhelming co-operation and participation in this national exercise”, the Minister said in a statement.
He also thanked the Forestry Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John Allotey, as well as the National Planning Committee, chaired by Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio, MP, his deputy and the staff of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, without whom he could not have achieved this feat which has received worldwide attention.
“Green Ghana Day is just the beginning of a long-term Green Ghana Project to restore the lost forest cover of our country”, the appreciation release read in parts.
Meanwhile, Samuel Jinapor has urged persons who planted some of the seedlings to make it a priority and nurture it.
“While we say thank you to all and sundry, we wish to reaffirm our commitment to ensure the survival of the trees planted as we continue to enhance ongoing afforestation programmes”, he encouraged.