‘’As at 14th June, 2023, 11, 530,672 seedlings have been distributed so far, for this year’s Green Ghana Day (GGD)’’. The Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Mr. Allotey, made this known during a press briefing on seedling distribution for the Green Ghana Day 2023, at the Forestry Commission Boardroom.
Seedlings distributed for GGD 2023 include, timber, multipurpose, fruit, shade and ornamental plants.
The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) in charge of Lands and Forestry, Hon. Benito Owusu Bio, addressing the media, thanked the entire country for the immense support shown during GGD 2023. He also thanked the President of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo; Okyehene – Osagyefo Amoatia Oforipanyin; Overlord of Dagbon – Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II; National Chief Imam- His Eminence Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, traditional rulers, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s), Ghana Education Service, Corporate Ghana, religious bodies and others.
He said the next stage is to protect and nurture the planted seedlings until they grow.
The Chief Executive gave a presentation on seedling distribution across the regions and districts, types and species of seedlings distributed, planting sites and a general overview of how GGD 2023 was observed.
He explained that the Northern, North East, Savannah and Upper East regions, distributed few seedlings to individuals and observed ceremonial planting because the regions did not experience any rainfalls prior to GGD. However, the remaining seedlings are at the Forest Services Division (FSD) nurseries, awaiting favorable weather conditions to distribute the seedlings for planting.
For this reason, he said going forward, he will ensure there is consultation with the Ghana Meteorological Agency to know the rain patterns and have separate planting times for the Southern, Northern and Savannah zones.
Mr. Allotey encouraged individuals who took seedlings to plant in their homes and compounds, to ensure they nurture them.
He added that, a schedule will be set up, and people will be designated to go round planted sites to monitor and check how seedlings are faring.
He used the opportunity to thank the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP; Deputy Minister, Hon. Benito Owusu Bio; the Executive Director, Mr. Hugh Brown, and staff of FSD for their efforts in seedling acquisition and distribution, the ICT department for developing a software to collate the data for distribution and planting, the Public Relations teams at the Ministry and Commission, the media, District and Regional Managers, Metropolitan Municipal District Assemblies (MMDA’s), and the Minerals Commission for their support and contributions towards a successful Green Ghana Day.
