The Minority in Parliament has questioned claims by President Akufo-Addo that his government has planted seven million trees under the green Ghana Project.
In his SONA address, the President stated that two million more trees were planted exceeding the five million target of the project spearheaded by the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry.
But speaking to Starr News Deputy Ranking Member for the Select Committee on Lands and Natural Resources, Alhassan Suhuyini accused the President of deceit.
The Tamale North MP argued that the differences in the President’s figures and that of his Minister is a recipe for corruption since it makes accountability difficult.
“We are preparing as a country to undertake second year of Green Ghana. I am sure you heard the President talk about how two million more trees were planted last year even-though they projected five million trees. So in effect the President made the claim that last year seven million trees were planted.
“Now, the records that is known to the House of Parliament where the President was speaking is clear that only a couple of weeks ago the Minister responsible for Lands and Mineral Resources in answering to a question indicated that only about 4.89 million trees were planted,” he narrated.
According to him, the sector Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor weeks ago told Parliament that just a little over 80 percent of the five million trees planted survived.
“Let’s assume that the Minister is right because he is responsible for the operation of the institutions of the Forestry Commission that was undertaking this project. Where did the President get the figure seven million from? Was he lying to Ghanaians when he said they planted seven million trees last year?” he quizzed.
He continued “We are all in support of attempts to green our nation because we know the effect on the Ozone Layer and carbon emissions. But we will not stop asking the question of transparency and accountability because these seedlings are usually procured with the tax-payers money.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
