Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on Friday morning planted a tree on the lawns of Jubilee House in Accra as part of the National Tree Planting Day.
June 7th every year, known as Green Ghana Day, is designated by the government to undertake tree planting activities across the country. Jubilee House’s Chris Nnu reports.
At exactly 9:05am, Dr Bawumia, clad in a blue and black kaftan and a green Ghanaian sun hat, was assisted by the Forestry Commissioner, Dr Mahmoud Nasir Deen, the Forestry Commission Operations Manager, Dr Daniel Donkor and another official from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Dr Gideon Asamoah Tetteh, to plant the tree, known as Mimusopus elenghi.
Mimusopus ellengi is a medium-sized evergreen tree.
It is said to be commonly found in the tropical forests of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia.
Common names for this tree include Spanish cherry, medlar, and bulletwood.
Kwadwo Baffo Donkor from Kumasi It reports that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II of the Ashantehene has taken part in Ghana’s Green Day commemorations and planted a Wawa tree at the Royal Golf Club in Kumasi.
Also present were Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah and Special Adviser to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu Bio.
The Asantehene was also joined in the tree planting activity by the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Paramount Chief Togbuiga Dagadu IX of Akpini Traditional Area of Kpando and Director, Forestry Commission Training Centre, Akyaukrom, Dr Andy Okura.
Since 2021 when the movement began, the Asantehene have always planted trees at the Royal Gulf Club.
The Ashanti Region aims to plant 2.5 million of the national target of 10 million seedlings.
Climate Change
Speaking to the media, Owusu Bio stressed the need for Ghanaians to protect the environment by planting more trees that would serve as vegetation cover.
He said water was becoming scarce as a result of environmental degradation and climate change, and warned that if care was not taken, the country would soon be importing water for domestic consumption.
He therefore appealed to everyone to make environmental protection a top priority.
From Cape Coast, Shirley Asiedu Addo Reports said the Central Regional Minister, Justina Marigold Assun, planted a tree at her official residence in Cape Coast to mark the launch of the exercise.