The Director of Health Promotion at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Da Costa Aboagye has urged Ghanaians to support the 5million tree planting exercise initiative by the government as the Green Ghana project has the potential to increase life expectancy and promote healthy lives of Ghanaians.

Speaking at his alma mater, the University of Cape Coast (UCC), where he planted a tree to support the government initiative, Dr DaCosta argues that human existence hinges directly on the survival of trees. Thus, without the oxygen produced by trees, we cannot survive as human beings.

According to him, green environments do not only beautify a country but improves the health and wellbeing of citizens with a great chance of increasing life expectancy. The environment we live determines how long we live. If we live in green environment, it is likely we will live long thus very important for all Ghanaians to support the green Ghana project to make our communities green, create more green spaces and parks to enhance health promotion activities.

The Central Region Minister Justina Marigold Assan after planting her tree pleaded with Ghanaians to rally behind the Government’s Green Ghana initiative to ensure we protect the environment and mitigate against the climate change. She argued that the Green Ghana project of which one aspect is planting of a tree will reduce environmental pollution.

“The most obvious advantage of going green is that it helps you reduce environmental pollution”. She noted.

The minister was very hopeful that, the Green Ghana interventions, as a concerted effort on the part of every citizen, would help restore the environment for a better life for all.

Meanwhile, The Ghana Football Association led by Chairman George Amoako and Captain of the Blackstars André Ayew both planted a tree to support the government Green Ghana initiative. Several officials from the University of Cape Coast, Forestry Commission and the Blackstar players also planted a tree.