The Nkawie Forest District of the Forestry Commission’s (FC) Forests Services Division (FSD) in the Ashanti Region has maintained its lead as the district with the highest tree planting target under the Green Ghana project.
The district has over the past three years exceeded its target by more than half of the initial projections since the introduction of the national afforestation initiative named Green Ghana Day.
Last year, the district received high commendations from The Chief Executive (CE) of Forestry Commission (FC), Mr. John Allotey for being the highest forest district in the country to exceed their set target by about 50% in the 2022 Green Ghana Day planting exercise.
During interaction with some journalists at his Nkawie office yesterday, the District Manager Mr.
Chrisantus Nifaasoyir said the district was able to exceed its 2023 target again by 50%.
He disclosed that the district set a target of 350,000 seedlings to be issued but ended up distributing 664,000 seedlings in this year’s tree planting exercise which was observed across the country last week.
He explained that the quoted figure included over 400,000 timber species that were directed at the various degraded forest reserves in the district.
He said the remaining over 200,000 were non-timber seedlings, mainly fruits trees such as coconut, mango and ornamental tree seedlings for planting along selected streets, public spaces as well as for individual homes and plots.
Mr. Chrisantus Nifaasoyir said neither the Nkawie Forest District nor himself is in any competition with any other districts or individual for any personal fame or gain, adding he is leading his team to only work to ensure a sustainable greener Ghanaian environment for the present and future generations.
Highlighting on the impact that the Green Ghana program has had on management of forest in the Nkawie Forest District in particular and in the county in general, the District Manager said the Green Ghana Day has created the needed awareness aimed at effective management of Ghana’s forest cover and its natural resources.
“I would say that the enthusiasm for the tree planting is now so high. The interest by the public to ensure greener natural environment has grown since the plantation program was launched by the Former President J. A. Kuffour in 2001,” he said.
He commended efforts of successive government towards ensuring a green and healthy environment such as the effort by the NDC administration which expanded the afforestation program by bringing on board planting in the off- reserves.
Mr. Chrisantus Nifaasoyir noted the hype given to the Green Ghana Day has brought all stakeholders on board and created a greater awareness on the importance of planting trees nationwide and over.
He envisaged that other nations may in the near future embrace and implement the initiative.
He was glade to disclose to journalists how individuals are still calling to demand seedlings for planting almost a week after the national event.
He assured that the Nkawie Forest District will continue to make seedlings available to those who still need them as much as management strength will support.
Mr. Chrisantus Nifaasoyir commended the National and regional leadership of the FC for their continuous support and guidance that has put the district in positive limelight as far as the national afforestation program is concerned.
He also thanked his district’s staff and management for their unwavering cooperation and team spirit that has set them apart and appealed to them to stay focused and help the district recover from all environmental loss that have been experienced over the past years.
