Green Ghana 2022: Lands Minister Calls for Support of Oil and Gas Stakeholders
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP) says players in the Oil and Gas industry have a shared responsibility of ensuring that they meet the net zero carbon target by helping to plant trees to aid in the balancing emissions of carbon dioxide which will lead to the elimination of carbon emissions from society.
He said this when he met over twenty-six (26) representatives from the Oil and Gas Industry on Tuesday, 5th April 2022 to discuss how they can help achieve government’s target in planting 20 million trees nationwide.
The Minister in his remark indicated some reasons for the engagement with the representatives from the Oil and Gas sector, saying the actors of the Oil and Gas Industry are a major component and key stakeholders in the development agenda.
The President of the Republic, H. E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo the Minister said, has instructed that this year’s Green Ghana Day should be owned by the citizens adding that efforts are being made to mobilize the citizenry in the planting of 20 million trees.
The Lands Minister again said, the Green Ghana Day program is a matter that has to be embraced by all, whiles stressing that matters relating to Climate Change, Afforestation, Greening is significant for all and encouraged Industry players to work together with the Government for a successful Green Ghana Day program.
“We have a program, where you can own forest compartment, plant it, fund the budget and do some of the planting yourselves and brand it in your name “, he added.
The Minister also underscored the importance of the oil and gas industry in nation building emphasizing that “We believe that the oil and gas companies of the Energy sector constitutes a major component of our national lives” and therefore called for closer partnership for the smooth implementation of this years Green Ghana.
The CEO of Forestry Commission, Mr. John Allotey on his part gave an overview of the 2022 Green Ghana Day Implementation Strategy.
He highlighted two strategies to be adopted for this years program which includes what government expects from key stakeholders such as the Oil and Gas Industry, the species of trees to be planted and the regional breakdown for planting the targeted 20 million trees.
On his part, the Co-Chair of the Green Ghana Finance Committee, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI encouraged the representatives of the oil and gas Industry to adopt and own the 2022 edition of the Green Ghana Day project.
He also conscientized the stakeholders to fully participate in the Green Ghana Day project and stressed that the initiative by the President Akufo-Addo led government “should be owned by Ghanaians” as we recognize the need and feel as part of contributing to the survival of Country.
The Green Ghana Project under the distinguish leadership of H. E Nana Addo Akufo-Addo was launched as part of an aggressive afforestation/reforestation program to restore the lost forest cover of Ghana and to contribute to the global effort to fight climate change.
Today’s engagement with the sector Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor saw representatives from the Oil and Gas Industry namely :
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, National Petroleum Authority, Tullow Oil, Bui Power Authority, Volta River Authority, Vola Aluminum Company, Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company, ENI, AKER and Petroleum Commission.
The rest are Ghana Gas, Ghana Grid Company Ltd, Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana Oil Company, VIVO Energy, Frimps Oil, ZEN Petroleum, Allied Oil,Santor Oil, Nick Petroleum and Ghana Ports and Harbor Authority.
Source :PR UNIT MLNR
