Ghana’s quest to fight climate change and deforestation received a big boost in 2021 when the government launched the Green Ghana Project to encourage individuals and corporate bodies to plant trees.
The initiative which had an initial target of planting 5 million trees, generated interest from individuals, religious bodies, associations and corporate bodies.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources through the Forestry Commission distributed free seedlings of various tree species to volunteers to plant across the country.
4.8 million trees were planted in 2021 – Minister
In March 2021, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources told parliament that the project in 2021 had been successful and 80% of trees had survived.
According to Mr. Samuel Jinapor, the government faced challenges in accounting for the trees because a “considerable number” of the trees were planted by individuals and that their survival rate could not be tracked. He added that of the 7.19 million seedlings earmarked for planting 2021, 4.89 million were planted.
7 million trees were planted in 2021 – President
The president in his State of the Nation Address praised the success of the initiative and encourage more people to volunteer for the upcoming Green Ghana Day, which has a target of 20 million trees.
However, the presidents account of the number of trees is inconsistent with the report the sector minister gave to the same house a month ago. According to the president, the 2021 Green Ghana Day planted 7 million trees, 2 million more than the targeted 5 million trees.
“Mr. Speaker, the Green Ghana Day, last year, was a great success, as many people turned out to join in the exercise to plant trees. I urge all of us to continue to take care of what we planted to make sure that the seven million seedlings we planted, i.e., two million more than the original target of five million, become fully grown trees. And please join in the Green Ghana Day when it comes along on 10th June, the designated Green Ghana Day for this year, when we seek to plant twenty million trees, that is a four-fold increase over the 2021 target of five million.”
Concerns over success of the project
The government has budgeted GHc9.6 million for the Green Ghana Project to plant 20 million trees nationwide in 2022.
Industry watchers have expressed concerns about the execution and sustainability of the project. While the ministry and key figures that led the execution of the project consistently encourage volunteers to take care of their trees and ensure they thrive, inadequate protection and care of the plants has led to losses around the country.
The Forestry Commission in the Bono Region says the government’s Green Ghana project may not achieve its intended purpose due to the activities of cattle grazers in the area.
According to the Commission, cattle feed on the new seedlings, which are planted to achieve the government’s goal of restoring Ghana’s depleted forest cover.