The Greening Ghana Project which is aimed at getting millions of trees planted as part of the country’s golden jubilee celebrations is progressing with over 300,000 tree seedlings planted across the country. So far about 3,000 groups are participating in the project which has targeted the planting of five million tree seedlings by the end of the year. Belinda Laryea, the project manager, described the progress of the project as "very encouraging" and expressed optimism that the target will be achieved despite criticism from some quarters about its timing, commencing as it did during the harmattan season. The exercise which is undertaken on the last Saturday of every month, she said has attracted encouraging patronage in all the regions. At present, she said, more than 65,000 of the seedlings have been planted in the Central Region while the Eastern, Western, Brong-Ahafo and Greater Accra regions have recorded significant figures. Response in the other parts, especially the north where the rainfall pattern had not been favourable recently, was improving, she said. Communities, churches, school environmental groups, institutions, corporate bodies and individuals are participating in the project. The next planting day is Saturday, February 24, when it will be the turn of politicians and leaders in society to plant trees. Ms. Laryea called on more groups and individuals, irrespective of their political affiliation to participate in the exercise, saying "This is an environmental issue whose objective is to resuscitate the environment." She said groups and individuals should apply for free seedlings from the district assemblies where distribution points have been created. Trees intended for planting include mango, neem, mahogany, acacia and teak. The geographical location determines the type of trees planted there. Source: The Ghanaian Times