On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Mr. John Allotey and his team paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, at the office in Ho.

Mr. Allotey who was on a working visit to the Region briefed Dr. Letsa on the Green Ghana Project, a Presidential Initiative launched by H.E. the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo on March 23, 2021.

The Initiative, according to him, sought to rally Ghanaians to plant 5 million trees on 11th June 2021 with the objective of encouraging Ghanaians to plant trees to preserve and protect the country’s forest and vegetation cover for a balanced ecology.

He explained that the Initiative was non-partisan and required the support, cooperation, and participation of Traditional Authorities, Political Heads and Opinion Leaders for its success.

He stated the Volta Region would be expected to plant at least 200,000 trees on the said date.

Mr. Allotey was of the strongest conviction that the Initiative would create a national consciousness on the need to plant trees and avoid illegal logging.

He therefore requested the Hon. Regional Minister’s support for the Initiative at the Regional Level through the making of public statements, and mobilisation of traditional authority and other stakeholders.

The Hon. Regional Minister was happy about the call and the briefing. He therefore assured him of duly notifying the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs for the mobilisation of our Traditional Rulers in order that they could support and participate in the Initiative.

Furthermore, Dr. Letsa assured Mr. Allotey of the support and participation of all Hon. Municipal and District Chief Executives as well as their respective Assemblies.

Dr. Letsa stated unequivocally that he was committed to the Initiative and would ensure the Volta Region meets its target of planting 200,000 trees if not more.

Finally, Dr. Letsa indicated that Mr. Allotey could count on the support of the Region towards a successful exercise.

Mr. Allotey was accompanied by, Mad. Joyce Ofori Kwafo, the  Corporate Affairs and Media Relations Manager; Mr. B. Manso-Howard, Regional Manager of the Forest Services Division of the Commission, and Mr. Newton Annobil, the Ho District Manager of the Forest Services Division.