Gov’t Revises Downwards Target For 2023 Green Ghana Day As Survival Rate Dips

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has announced that this year’s Green Ghana Day will be held on Friday, June 9 on the theme: ‘Our Forests, Our Health’.

He, however, told journalists on Wednesday, April 26 that the target on the number of trees to be planted has been reduced from 20,000 last year to 10,000.

This, according to him, is due to an assessment report, which found out that the survival rate of the trees planted has reduced.

“On the maiden edition, we targeted five million trees,” the Lands Minister noted.

“With your support, over seven million trees were planted.

“Last year, we raised our ambition and targeted at least, 20 million trees. Again, you supported us, and over twenty-four million trees were planted; bringing the total planted trees over the years to in excess of 31 million trees.

“So far, field Assessment Report shows that, on the average, we have 72 percent survival rate last year as compared to 81 percent in 2021.

“While adequate measures were put in place to ensure the survival of all trees planted, a number of external factors account for the survival rate, including rainfall patterns, wildfires and soil fertility. Nonetheless, the survival rate shows that we still have some 23 million trees to nurture.”

He adduced that the new target will give the Ministry the opportunity “to devote some resources and attention to the trees planted over the last two years, while not losing momentum on our quest to restore our degraded landscape”.

“It is the expectation of the government that, this year, we will receive the usual massive support to build upon the successes achieved in 2021 and 2022.”

The exercise is expected to be launched next month by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.