Nhyiaeso (Ash), June 11, GNA – Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, on Friday planted a symbolic pine tree seedling at the Royal Golf Park, Kumasi, in line with activities marking this year’s Green Ghana Day.
The exercise was to whip up interest in the country’s afforestation initiative dubbed ‘Green Ghana Project’, which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) to tackle the high rate of deforestation in the country.
It is estimated that Ghana has lost about 80 per cent of its forest cover since 1900, according to the Ministry.
This has come with its own adverse effects on the environment, especially the loss of biodiversity and income for those depending on forest resources for a living.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu, accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, as well as the Technical Director of the MLNR, Mr Maxwell Adu-Nsafoa, and officials of the Forestry Commission, used the occasion to advise the people to embrace tree planting.
He lauded the Ministry for the bold initiative and encouraged the growing of economic trees for the benefit of the society.
In all, about two million tree seedlings of varied species are expected to be planted in the Ashanti Region in order to meet the objectives of the Green Ghana Project.
According to the Forestry Commission, the trees planted last year under the Project achieved about 80 per cent success rate.
