This, he believes would contribute to effectively achieving the objectives of the Green Ghana project, which aims to promote afforestation, an eco-friendly environment and mitigate climate change.

He was speaking at a ceremonial tree-planting exercise in Hohoe in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.

“Let us work together to nurture these trees, just as we would care for our own children. Let us strive to create a legacy that will outlive us, a legacy of a lush, vibrant, and thriving environment”, he said.

He indicated that the tree planting exercise symbolizes the country’s dedication to protecting its natural resources, promoting eco-friendly practices, and preserving its rich cultural heritage.

Togbega Gabusu VII believes the Green Ghana initiative would lead to building a brighter future by ensuring a safe environment for the next generations.

Out of the 10 million trees earmarked to be planted across the country, as part of the aggressive national afforestation and reforestation program, 30,000 would be planted in the Hohoe Municipality.

The tree species which included cashew and mahogany would be planted on the campus of the St. Teresa’s College of Education and other identified places across the municipality.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Hohoe Municipal National Disaster Management Organization Office and the Department of Agriculture for the collection of tree seedlings.

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According to him, Ghana has lost about 100,000 acres of natural forest in the last decade alone, hence the need for urgent steps to be taken to plant more trees and replenish degraded forests.

He made the call when he led tree planting exercise at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra to kick-start this year’s Green Ghana agenda.

President Akufo-Addo stated with concern that forests play important role in human sustainability and existence.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, explained that 10 million of the target will be planted in forest reserves while the rest will be in non-forest areas.

He enumerated some measures being taken to halt deforestation and protect some tree species like rosewood as well as wildlife.

President Akufo-Addo, Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, Ga Mantse Nii Teiko Tsuru, and the Clergy also planted Mahogany trees in addition to what President Akufo-Addo planted to kick-start Green Ghana 2022.

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The event happened at the Jubilee House where state dignitaries converged to mark the occasion Friday afternoon.

The Green Ghana initiative is aimed at planting over five million trees in efforts to preserve and protect the country’s forest cover and the environment at large.

During the event, the President stressed the need to restore the country’s lost forest cover.

“There is an urgent need to reverse the trend and restore our forest resources as much as possible back to their original state. We do not have tomorrow or the day after tomorrow to do this. We have to act now,” he said.

He said the event will be marked annually.

“Today’s nationwide exercise will not be a one-off event. We intend to enhance ongoing afforestation programmes and see to the sustainable exploitation of our forest resources.

“Indeed, we’re doing so through a number of policy interventions. The attempt to regulate and sanitise the small-scale mining industry is one such to help keep our forest cover and reserves intact, ” he said.

The President noted that government is determined to ensure the survival of the five million trees planted.