The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, emphasized that the very existence of human beings depends on the health and well-being of the Earth.
“Speaking metaphorically, the Earth is our Mother, and we must take care of her. We owe a heavy responsibility to the Earth and to future generations.”
Bagbin reiterated that trees are the lungs of the Earth, providing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, and supporting countless species.
He stated that as Ghanaians annually plant and tend these trees, they are effectively countering and reversing downward trends, cultivating a greener and more sustainable tomorrow. These trees shield nature from harsh weather conditions, prevent soil erosion, and supply mankind with life-giving water.
On the occasion of Green Ghana Day, held on June 7, 2024, at the forecourt of Parliament to plant about 500 trees, the Speaker admonished MPs and parliamentary staff to do the needful.
“Let us nurture these seeds of hope, and together, let us grow a better future,” he said.
He highlighted that Parliament devotes the day wholly to this exercise without a plenary sitting, with many MPs in their constituencies leading the people they represent in the same activity.
“As we plant these saplings, we invest in a future where our children can thrive in harmony with nature. We envision a world where forests flourish, wildlife prospers, and our planet heals. The forest is not just a resource; it is a relation. This proverb highlights the interconnectedness of all living things and encourages us to view the natural world as a web of relationships rather than just a collection of resources to be exploited.”
The tree planting took place in various locations, including the Official Residences of Parliament, the Speaker’s Official Residence, the Clerk’s Official Residence (Cantonments), Leadership Village, Manet Ville, Joggis, and Sakumono Estate.
In 2022, Parliament planted 400 trees, followed by 300 trees in 2023. This year, they are planting 500 trees, bringing the total to 1,200. According to the Speaker, about 90% of the trees planted so far have survived and are growing healthily.
The theme for this year is “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow.”
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In a related story, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo together with some justices of the Supreme Court and Court Appeal have planted more than two hundred tree seedlings in and around the premises of the Supreme Court, to observe the 2024 Green Ghana Day.
In a speech, the Chief Justice said the current generation owe it a duty to protect the country’s natural environment from the harsh effects of climate change by ending deforestation, pollution of rivers and other negative practices.
Green Ghana Day is marked annually across the sixteen regions of the country in June.
The project is aimed at restoring the country’s depleted forest cover and contributing to the global fight against climate change.
The project has successfully contributed to the planting of more than 42 million tree seedlings since its inception in 2021.
Justice Torkornoo noted that the world is experiencing the devastating effects of environmental degradation hence, “the need to plant more trees and engage in practices that will protect the environment and sustain the ecological system”.
