Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin and Samuel Abu Jinapor watering a seedling
The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has launched the One Student, One Tree project as part of activities marking the 2024 Green Ghana Project and the silver jubilee celebration of his reign.
The One Student, One Tree project, which is scheduled to commence on Friday, June 7, 2024, is targeting all Ghanaian students, especially those in the Senior High Schools. Each student is expected to plant one tree and nurture it to grow.
Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin also launched the One Million Seedling project as part of the Green Ghana Project aimed at planting one million seedlings within the Akyem Abuakwa State.
The One Million Seedlings project is a personal initiative of Osagyefuo with support from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Speaking at the launch of the two projects, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin called for introspection on the vital role nature plays in sustaining the life of the planet.
He said the trees, rivers and wildlife are not just resources for mere exploitation but treasures that must be cherished and protected for generations to come.
Osagyefuo added that, the continued forest and environmental degradation and its associated climate change is a threat to the sustainability of the world’s economy and survival of mankind.
“As we come together to raise awareness about the importance of tree planting and environmental conservation, let us remember that, each one of us has a role to play in building a greener, more sustainable future for Ghana. Planting a tree is not just an act of putting seedlings into the ground. It is a symbol of our commitment to the well-being of our community and the planet,” Osagyefuo said.
He tasked the students and youth to be guardians of our forest and learn about the importance of conservation, as well as inspire their peers to join the noble cause.
“To the general public and our community members all over the country, let us remember that our efforts cannot stop with tree planting alone. We must reduce our carbon footprints, conserve water, reduce waste, and protect our natural habitats. Stop illegal mining and logging, bushfires, agricultural expansion into forest frontiers and other major drivers of the deforestation and degradation,” Okyenhene advised.
On his part, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament of Damango Constituency, Samuel Abu Jinapor, commended Okyenhene for his conservationist ideology and bold decision in championing same in the last 25 years of his reign as Okyenhene.
According to Mr. Jinapor, government expects that every Ghanaian student in the second cycle institutions plants and nurtures a tree to its maturity.
He asked heads of second cycle institutions to cooperate with the planning committee in making this year’s Green Ghana Day successful.
A Daily Guide Report