By Bisola Adeyemo
Ghanaian youths in the Afforestation programme are to receive three months arrears, as government commended their potential of reversing global warming and climate change through afforestation.
John Allotey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, while confirming the five months arrears owed the workers, saying three months arrears would be cleared latest by next week.
“The good thing is that the Ministry of Finance has released funds for the payments as soon as possible. As I speak the documents and the warrants have been signed and the money has been released so in no time I am sure by next week they should get three months out of the five outstanding.
“And that is good news considering the efforts that have been put in by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and his and the Minister of Finance for making this possible,” he added.
On their part, the youths said they had not been paid their allowances for the past five months threatened to embark on a sit-down strike before the three months arrears was approved.
The Youth in Afforestation programme was launched in 2018 in line with the government’s commitment to reforestation, forest rehabilitation and forest protection activities.
At least 100,000 youth are beneficiaries of the programme across the country, news Ghana reports.
Allotey, however, commended the workers for their commitment and dedication towards nurturing the environment in converting areas which were initially barren and had virtually non-existent species into lands filled with productive resources and rich biodiversity of species.