The Volta Region is expected to plant an estimated 600,000 trees as the nation marks the second edition of the Government’s Green Ghana initiative.

The effort, launched last year to help replenish the nation’s vegetation cover, is targeting the planting of 20 million trees this year, an estimated 500,000 of which would be in the Volta Region.

The Forestry Commission in the Region has excesses of thousands of seedlings which would also be handed out for planting.

Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, launching the campaign in the Region in Ho, commended the patronage of the first initiative.

“Our coming together today to participate in this exercise is a clear indication of our collective willingness and determination to tackle the climate change issues confronting us.

“As a region, we are determined to exceed our set target of planting some six hundred thousand (600,000) tree seedlings across the region. Admittedly, this can only be achieved with the collective participation and support of all of us,” he said.

The Regional Minister noted that interest in tree planting must be developed towards securing tree crops and wood resources for both domestic and industrial needs.

“Beyond this occasion, let us all individually take particular interest in the planting, nurturing and the growing of trees; be they fruit trees or wood logs. We should also check the indiscriminate and excessive felling of trees within our various communities. Our collective responsibility to manage the environment sustainably for both current and future generations should not be in doubt at any time,” he said.

Dr. Letsa also sang the prospects of a green environment within the tourism industry and called on all in the Region to consider its vegetation prized.

“I believe that if we have a good running eco-tourism sector, we stand a better chance of raking in more revenue. It is common knowledge that the eco-tourism sector is environmentally friendly and is also attractive to both local and foreign tourists since few countries around the world have such natural tourist sites as we have here.

Let us be resolved to be judged favourably by posterity that we did our best through our actions such as this in restoring and protecting the vegetative cover of our dear nation.”

The Green Ghana Project was initiated to among others, create awareness and influence attitudes, with a view of conserving water bodies and other vegetation sensitive resources.

This year’s event pulls students into the project with the One Student One Tree campaign.

The exercise in the Volta Region saw collaboration among the various agencies and departments, and the private sector and communities.

Traditional leaders and students from the Holy Spirit Preparatory School joined the planting at the Centre for National Culture in Ho to start the exercise.

Chief Executives Officers also led the campaign in their various districts and municipalities.

Mr Bright Manso Howard, Volta Regional Manager, Forest Service Division of the Forestry Commission, said churches, schools and youth groups worked to meet the planting target, and asked all to consider trees planted their personal properties, and must work to enjoy their use in maturity.