Asantehene plants tree at Kumasi Golf Course to mark Green Ghana Day; Rallies nation to support project
For the third time since the institution of the Green Ghana Day, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II planted a commemorative tree seedling as a testament to his commitment to the success of the national reforestation programme.
The King did the latest planting on Friday, June 9, 2023 at the Royal Golf Course in Kumasi where he had earlier planted two seedlings in 2021 and 2022, which are all doing well.
Otumfuo is the Chief patron of the Green Ghana project, which seeks to restore the lost green cover of the nation.
Joining the Asantehene at the event were government officials including the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Forestry, Benito Owusu-Bio; the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, and the Mayor of Kumasi, Samuel Pyne .
Support
In a brief address after planting the tree, Otumfuo urged Ghanaians to fully support the Green Ghana project since it comes with a lot of benefits.
He was impressed with the progress with which the two seedlings he planted earlier had been nurtured.
The Asantehene commended the government for the project saying it would also help in beautifying the country, and create economic value through the growth of cash crops.
Otumfuo commented
In his remarks, Mr Owusu-Bio commended Otumfuo for his enormous commitment to the Green Ghana project.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for honoring our invitation to lead Asanteman to plant trees as part of the activities of Green Ghana Day. “Your Royal Majesty, when we also called on you to launch the 2023 Edition of the Green Ghana Day a few weeks ago you graciously accepted the invitation in spite of your busy schedules and we are very grateful for your selflessness and commitment to ensuring the protection and sustainable management of our natural resources,” he stated.
Importance
He added: “The need to plant trees is very clear to us and we don’t have any option than to embark on an aggressive afforestation/reforestation drive to restore our lost vegetative cover and contribute to the global fight against climate change.
“As we plant the trees today, let us make conscious efforts to nurture and grow them to maturity. In many circumstances, the trees we plant are neglected and not catered for and this is the reason why the target has been reduced to nurture what has already been planted to ensure a higher survival rate.” For his part, the Ashanti Regional Minister, said, “The oxygen available to mankind is reducing gradually so it’s better we plant more trees for our survival. We also enjoy medicinal, nutritional and other benefits from it. We should all join it.”
