Ethiopians throughout the country have participated in a landslide campaign of planting 500 million seedlings in a single day imitated by the genuine call forwarded by Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed (PhD).
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonen said that the overnight planting program is an achievement in itself.
Addis Ababa City Mayor, Adanech Abiebie, diplomats and other senior officials participated in the program of planting 500 million saplings overnight in Addis Ababa city.
Demeke Mekonen said at the same time, the day is a day that will be remembered for adorning Ethiopia with grace and a great history is being made.
He said, “The national program of planting 500 million saplings in one day was not only seen in this area, but in all corners of Ethiopia, everyone was participating and made history to achieve this national agenda.”
Mentioning that they are there as partners, owners and actors of the program, Demeke Mekonen pointed out that planting 500 million saplings in one day is very important to create a comfortable environment for future generations by dressing Ethiopia green.
“Furthermore, it is the day that we have showed the results of the possibility to improve the record more than what we have achieved in the past years,” he said.
He added that the meaning of the program will stimulate Ethiopians’ capacity to work, prepare them better for the future and lead the world record.
He mentioned that one of the things that the world is being tested by is the climate change and adding he said that it was the day Ethiopians lined up to save the country, to bring it back to what it was before and to become a better example for the world. 34 million people had been expected to participate in that historical day of 500 million saplings planting program.
Supporting the above statement of the Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister, Adefris Warku (PhD), coordinator of the technical committee of the Green Legacy program said that over 34 million people had been participated in 500 million sapling planting program yesterday in a single day.
According to Dr. Adefris, it was a special day for Ethiopia. It was a day when it wore green and showed the attention Ethiopians have given to green development at the international level. He said that in the program, the farmers and pastoralists were participated.
Since the very day Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed (PhD) disclosed that there was a plan to transplant 500 million seedlings in a day, the issue had vast media coverage, especially by the local media. The actual day was also given special attention. As announced by the State Minister of Government Communication Services, Selamawit Kassa, more than three thousand journalists had been working to report the planting of 500 million saplings in one day in the first round of the second phase Green Legacy program.
The State Minister mentioned that the act of dressing Ethiopia green has happened in more than nine thousand places. She said that apart from monitoring the event by satellite from the situation room in Addis Ababa, journalists had also been delivering updated information from the scene.
Ethiopians from all walks of life participated in the program. “Since the Green Legacy Program is a national issue, we should strengthen it tirelessly and continue it,” Professor Beyene Petros, Executive Director of the Policy Research Institute said.
Attended the one day plantation of 500 million saplings program in Lideta Sub City, Professor Beyene said that the green legacy program is an important issue for the country, so everyone should strengthen it without being limited by natural and man-made problems.
Professor Beyene underlined that planting saplings is a matter of survival. Thus, it is essential to achieve the planned goal by leaving one’s mark without being defeated by rain and other factors us.
He pointed out that every society should continue to strengthen the good start of greening the country without sparing its ability and energy.
He conveyed his message that Ethiopians should work together to make the idea that Ethiopia is a country frequently affected by drought and famine history through the Green legacy Program.
He said that Green legacy not only makes the country greener, but also contributes to ensuring food security, so it should be strengthened.
Addis Ababa City Mayor, Adanech Abiebie, on her part said that yesterday’s event was historic. Together with the residents of the city, they accepted the call of the Prime Minister to plant 500 million saplings overnight and have started planting 4 million saplings in 140 places in the city.
“We have started planting more saplings than last year. When we start working as one with one heart, our problems are not insurmountable in front of us. When we work together, our problems become easier. We have done a lot of important work while the seemingly far-off success is getting closer.
“We compete with ourselves and make our today’s work better than yesterday’s in terms of quality and quantity. The saplings we plant today are our food tomorrow, our shelter and our shield against air pollution tomorrow,” she said.
Thanking all the residents of the city for participating in the one day planting program of more than 4 million saplings planned to be planted in Addis Ababa, she pledged to continue to work hard to make Addis Ababa a beautiful city for its residents and visitors by working together via solving problems created.
As the Green Legacy program took place across the country, citizens in every corner of the country were participated. Among these was Haimanot Bitew, a pregnant woman residing in Bahir Dar City Administration, Zenzelma Kebele, Gelad basin who planted saplings in her area.
She told the Ethiopian Press Agency; “I am very happy to be a part of the overnight 500 million sapling plantation program. I am doing this to prepare a comfortable and green country for the child I will deliver.”
She said that pregnant women who plant saplings should realize that they are contributing to a sustainable future for their children and future generations.
Minister of Government Communication Services, Legese Tulu said, “Just like we planted seedlings together, we will build a democratic country whose security is guaranteed by protecting our peace together.”
According to the plan to plant 500 million saplings overnight, Ethiopians were going out and planted saplings despite the rain.
He said that, as Ethiopia is a country frequently affected by drought, Green Legacy is more than planting saplings; it is a matter of ensuring food security.
“Just like we planted seedlings together, we will build a secure democratic country by protecting our peace together,” the Minister said.
By the same token, United Nations Industrial Development Organization Ethiopia Director, Aurelia Chalebro said that the Green Legacy Program is more than just a rumor; it is a major demonstration of combating climate change in practice.
She participated in the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s 500 million saplings planting program in Ethiopia.
In a message she delivered, Aurelia Chalebro said, “Through the Green Legacy program, Ethiopia has demonstrated to the world more than just paying lip service to climate change.”
Representatives and employees of various international institutions participated in the program of planting 500 million saplings overnight.
Adam Farah, Vice President of the Prosperity Party, left his mark by planting saplings in the Bahir Dar City Administration, Zenzelma Kebele Gelad basin.
The Vice President said at the time; “During difficult times, the Ethiopian government has been doing many works that will benefit the future generation. One of them is the Green Legacy. This is a blessing not only for the country but also for the face of the earth.”
The Vice President said that the government will continue to strengthen the work it does for tomorrow’s generation. The Green Legacy program will help us to create a positive impact on other countries.
He added that the program will remind the history of Ethiopia’s contribution to the world, and the program of planting 500 million saplings overnight shows that Ethiopia will continue to strengthen its contribution to the world.
Furthermore, climate change is taking a toll on humanity. This has reduced the amount of clean drinking water and resulted in soil erosion. Therefore, the program will help reduce this damage, he said.
BY BACHA ZEWDIE
The Ethiopian Herald July 18/2023
