Ghana: BPA Forest Resource Enhancement Programme Boosted As More Than 1,400 Acres Of Land Planted With Trees

The second largest state-owned power generation company in Ghana – Bui Power Authority (BPA) – has called on Chiefs and people in the Bui area to support the company’s climate resilience initiatives that seek to reforest degraded lands in the area to protect the Bui Basin which the Bui Dam is situated.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BPA, Hon. Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi, made the call in a speech read for him by Ing. Samuel Nimako-Boateng, Director for Power Operations, at the commemoration of Green Ghana Day last Friday at the Bui Generation Station (BGS).

In 2012, BPA commenced a pilot Forest Resource Enhancement Programme (FREP) initiative which has seen a significant expansion from a coverage area of 423.67 acres to 1,433acres under the leadership of the current CEO.

“It is significant to note that due to the recurrent bushfires that often characterize the savannah ecological zone, we had to expand our coverage systematically whilst

ensuring we properly safeguard our investments. It is, therefore, remarkable to announce that during

the year 2023/2024 dry season, no single tree was lost through the bushfires as a result of the

implementation of a well-coordinated Bushfire Management Plan,” the BPA CEO disclosed.

He placed emphasis on Goal 13 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: which advocates for Climate Actions .

He therefore 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 hydro, solar and others to limit the global mean temperature from rising up to two degrees celsius above the pre-industrial levels.

“We are committed to ensuring the planting of trees and the conservation of the forest through our flagship programme – FREP – to ameliorate the threats of the climate change to our operations,” he stressed.

He further pledged his commitment to expanding the BPA FREP which is in tandem with the Green Ghana Project.

He indicated that aside from the reforestation of the degraded lands, the conservation of some 26 economic indigenous tree species within the area was ongoing backed by a policy  approved by the Board of Directors of BPA.

Hon. Dzamesi commended the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-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.

Delivering  a welcome message, the Director of Occupational Health, Safety, Security and Environment, Mr. Chrisentus B. Kuunifaa, indicated that a total of ten million (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 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 resilience is crucial to realise an important relationship that is a Water-Energy-Forest nexus to guarantee a sustainable hydro power deployment”.

Mr. Kuunifaa, therefore, envisioned that the trees being planted would go a long way “to create more carbon sinks, improve micro climate, the hydrological cycle and provide ecosystem services.”

Source: https:// energynewsafrica.com