The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Mr. John Allotey, visited The Church of Pentecost Headquarters today to seek the church’s support for the upcoming Green Ghana Day on June 7, 2024.
He was accompanied by a high-profile delegation, including Mr. Joseph Osiakwan (Technical Director, Forestry Commission), Mrs. Joyce Ofori Kwafo (Head of Corporate Affairs & Media Relations), and Mr. Elijah Amponsah Asiedu (Director for Internal Audit), among others.
The Church of Pentecost team that received the Forestry Commission officials included Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi (General Secretary), Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah Agyeman (Teshie-Nungua Area Head), Apostle Felix Okyere Anti (Administrative Secretary to the General Secretary), and Pastor Emmanuel Appah (Finance and Administration Director).
Mr. Allotey highlighted the successful partnership between The Church of Pentecost and the Forestry Commission over the past three years, which has been instrumental in the government’s Green Ghana initiative. This initiative aims to plant trees to enhance the environment, and the church has consistently helped the commission achieve its annual target of planting 1 million trees.
Following the official launch of this year’s Green Ghana Day in March, Mr. Allotey’s visit aimed to garner the church’s support once again to meet this year’s ambitious target of planting 10 million trees nationwide. He assured that the commission would provide seedlings at various pickup points, including palaces and churches, making them easily accessible to the public. The seedlings will include timber trees like mahogany, ornamental plants, and fruit trees such as mango.
Mr. Allotey praised The Church of Pentecost for its leadership in environmental care, noting that the commission views the church as a formidable partner in this initiative. He suggested that the church mobilise its members and utilise its media outlets to create awareness and sensitise the public about the upcoming event.
The General Secretary, in turn, thanked Mr. Allotey and his team for the visit. He emphasised that the church’s involvement in environmental initiatives is inspired by scripture, noting that the first place God placed man was in the Garden of Eden, with a charge to work it and take care of it. This biblical mandate, according to him, continues to guide the church’s environmental efforts.
He reported that, in the last three years, the church has successfully planted 1.6 million seedlings, achieving a remarkable survival rate of 87%. He assured the Forestry Commission that the church is ready to partner again to ensure the commission’s target for this year is met.
Apostle Samuel Gakpetor, the National Coordinator for the Environmental Care Campaign, outlined the church’s plans for this year’s tree-planting efforts.
He mentioned that the church will request information from the Forestry Commission on various natural reserves where tree planting is necessary. Additionally, the church has identified 262 acres of land in the northern part of the country for tree planting.
The church will also leverage its media platforms to educate members and the public on the importance of tree planting and to create awareness for the event. Furthermore, the church is collaborating with the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) to hold a dialogue on June 5, in commemoration of World Environment Day, to educate people on the significance of tree planting and build momentum for Green Ghana Day.
Mr. Allotey expressed his admiration for the church’s planned activities, noting that they align with the Forestry Commission’s objectives. He was particularly impressed by the church’s efforts to ensure the survival of the trees planted, commending the church for nurturing the seedlings and ensuring that 87% of the 1.6 million seedlings planted had survived.
Also present at the meeting were Pastor Benedict Eghan (Personal Assistant to the Chairman), Pastor Dr. Felix Klutse (Director, Pent Media Centre), Pastor Eric Ansah (Member, Environmental Care Coordinating Team), and Mrs. Philomina Mireku (Women’s Ministry Director).
PENTECOST NEWS.
