As part of the nationwide Green Ghana day celebration, the Bui Power Authority (BPA) with some of its stakeholders commemorated the day with a tree-planting exercise at the Bui Generating station. The event was attended by staff of BPA, personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Armed forces (Army, Airforce & Navy), the Ghana Police Service and students from the BPA Green Energy Academy.
Also in attendance were staff from the BPA Hospital, Wildlife Division [Bui National Park), Project Affected Persons’ Contractors and Assemblymen from Bui and Jama.
In his welcome address, the Director Occupational Health, Safety, Security and Environment Chrisentus B. Kuunifaa indicated that, a total of 10 million seedlings were being planted across the country to mark the 4th edition of Green Ghana Day – 2024 through the Forestry Commission under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural resources, of which BPA was planting a total of 16,003 tree species comprising of Gmelina, Teak, Mahogany, Cedralla and Ceiba at the Bui generating station to increase the forest cover.
He further stated that, climate change is imminent and building climate resilence is crucial to realize an important relationship that is a ‘Water-Energy-Forest nexus’ to guarantee a sustainable hydro power deployment. He therefore envisioned that the trees being planted will go a long way “to create more carbon sinks, improve micro climate, the hydrological cycle and provide ecosystem services.”
Chief Executive Officer, Ing. Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi, who was represented by the Director POD, Ing. Samuel Nimako-Boateng, underscored the significance of tree planting and the establishment of forests and its benefit to mankind.
The BPA CEO, placed emphasis on the United Nations – sustainable development goals (Goal 13), which calls for a strong political will with an increased investment using available Technologies and that BPA on its part was deploying more renewables such as the Hydro, Solar and others to limit the global mean temperature from rising up to two degrees celsius above the pre-industrial levels.
“As the renewable energy leaders in Ghana and the sub-region, we are mindful of the impacts of the climate change on renewable energy deployment, especially hydropower which is rainfall dependent and therefore, we are committed to ensuring the planting of trees and the conservation of the forest through our flagship, Forest Resource Enhancement Programme to ameliorate the threats of the climate change on our operations.”
He further pledged his commitments to expanding the BPA Forestry Resources Enhancement Programme which is in-line with the Green Ghana Project. He indicated that, aside from the reforestation of the degraded lands, the conservation of some economic indigenous tree species within the area was ongoing backed by a Policy approved by the Board of Directors of BPA.
In his concluding remarks, the BPA CEO commended the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo for his commitment towards such a great initiative and thanked all the stakeholders who have supported this year’s celebration to be a success.
