National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, yesterday endorsed the five million tree planting exercise scheduled for June 11.
He endorsed the exercise when the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey, led a high-powered delegation from the commission to, as he put it, seek the cleric’s support for the tree planting campaign across the country.
The Chief Imam, dressed in splendid green attire representing the forests of the country, even before the CEO finished speaking about the aim of his mission said, “I support the tree planting programme and I would plant a tree as part of the exercise.”
The CEO recalled the President’s State of the Nation address during which he announced a programme to plant five millions trees across the country.
According to the CEO, the exercise was launched on March 23, 2021 by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, adding that all Ghanaians irrespective of their political and religious persuasions are being enjoined to join in planting trees.
To achieve the objective of the programme, four committees, he said, have been created and these are for finance, monitoring, publicity, operations and logistics.
The monitoring committee, he said, include persons from the opposition NDC party, and this is proof of the non-partisan nature of the exercise.
The commission, he said, is providing six million seedlings for planting across the country; the extra one million intended to replace damaged seedlings.
Areas where trees can be planted are being canvassed for so planting can take place in these places, he went on.
“As part of our visit we wanBy A.R. Gomdat the Chief Imam to do a symbolic planting of a tree when the day is due. We know the influence of the Chief Imam and are therefore here to appeal to him to endorse the exercise. We want him to make a statement supporting the exercise. When you speak I know we shall succeed,” Mr. Allotey stated.
The CEO and his team were of course elated when the Chief Imam said, “I shall plant a tree and I ask all Ghanaians to take part in planting trees. It is my wish that all the good policies of the government which would enhance the living conditions of all succeed. As citizens of this country, we all originate from the same source, Adam and Eve. We were created in diversity by God so that we can understand each other. I support the exercise. I ask all Muslims and Christians to plant trees. I understand the importance of the exercise,” he said.
By A.R. Gomda