Mr Olumide Olatunji with shovel and other officials of Access Bank planting a tree
ACCESS BANK Ghana supported government’s Green Ghana Day initiative by joining President Akufo-Addo and other government officials to plant trees at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra.
The exercise was aimed at planting 20 million tress in Ghana on June 10, 2022, to help restore Ghana’s depleted forests.
Olumide Olatunji, Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana, expressed his excitement at the initiative, noting that conserving the environment is a collective responsibility that must be heeded to by all, to secure a sustainable future for both current and future generations.
“The importance of conserving our environment can’t be over-emphasised. The proverb that says ‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now’ should not be taken for granted. Trees sustain life therefore a call to replenish the depleted vegetation is in the right direction and must be supported. It is in this light that our Bank has supported the President’s call,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo earlier in a speech indicated that “Trees provide humankind medicine, habitat for wildlife and microorganisms, regulate atmospheric temperature, serves as rain breaks, regulate atmospheric temperature and climate change to give us clean air, for good health.”
He bemoaned the alarming rate at which Ghana’s forest was depleting and called for drastic actions to avert the effects on the environment.
“In the last decade alone, Ghana has lost 100,000 acres of natural forest, in addition to the economic value lost,” the President said adding that “85% of the population in Ghana rely on forest resources for their sustenance. One sure way to prevent climate crisis is through the preservation and developments of forests and other nature-based solutions”.
Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, also shared insights into government’s efforts at restoring depleted vegetation and forest reserves.
Staff of Access Bank across the country marked the day with tree planting exercises in their communities of operation.
Operating from 54 business locations across the country, Access Bank continues to support sustainable banking practices. It has received various awards including Best CSR Bank from the Global Brands Awards in 2021.
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