For the third consecutive year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo took the helm alongside the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on Friday, June 9th, 2023, to kick start a series of nationwide planting initiatives to commemorate the 2023 edition of Green Ghana Day under the theme "Our Forests, Our Health." The event aims to combat climate change and rejuvenate lost forest cover across the country.

Addressing the importance of Green Ghana Day, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the urgency of the climate crisis, stating, "We are living in a time of unprecedented global environmental challenges that threaten our existence as a people and the fate of our planet." He underscored the adverse effects of the crisis on health, livelihoods, security, and prospects, highlighting anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions as the primary driver of this perilous situation.

President Akufo-Addo assured the nation that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting Ghana's environment and its people, while actively contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. He declared, "Government will continue to explore all avenues to enhance our forest cover through afforestation and reforestation programs, as well as protect our natural resources through community-based management and conservation initiatives."

Recognizing the necessity for collective action, the President emphasized that addressing the global crisis requires ambitious and meaningful efforts from all countries. He revealed that Ghana has committed, under its enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions, to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 64 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030. The country also aims to enhance resilience and adaptation to climate change by improving early warning systems, promoting climate-smart agriculture, restoring degraded lands, and safeguarding coastal zones.

Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, expressed confidence that this year's Green Ghana Day would achieve resounding success. With a downsized target of 10 million trees, the focus will be on nurturing the previously planted trees. He urged all Ghanaians to actively participate in the planting exercise, stating, "All we require from Ghanaians is to come out, pick up seedlings, plant, and nurture them to maturity."