By Desmond Cudjoe
The Omanhene of the Wassa Amenfi traditional area, Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim has called for a sustained tree planting campaign to ensure that, trees of various species are planted year round and nurtured to grow.
This, he said, is critical to addressing the problem of deforestation occasioned by wanton destruction of the forest through illegal felling and galamsay activities.
Tetrete who is also the Board Chairman of the Forestry Commission, FC was speaking to the media after joining Mr. George Mireku-Duker, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources during the Green Ghana Day to plant trees in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.
The Green Ghana Initiative is part of the vision of the government’s vision to fight the depletion and degradation of the country. Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim underscored the need to maintain the relationship between human beings and trees.
He said, “Trees play critical roles in the life of every human being through the air we breathe and the medicines we take, besides our livelihoods “. “It is thus very important, we all put our shoulders to the wheel in tackling the problem of deforestation”, he said.
The theme “Our Heath’ Our Forest” he explained as very appropriate as man’s existence revolves around trees.
The Wassa Amenfi Omanhene also appealed to all miners to practice responsible mining to avoid degrading our environment.
The Deputy Minister Of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Mereku Duker said, deforestation and degradation of our Forest resources continue to be a threat to Ghana Forest reserves, therefore, it’s the responsibility of each individual in the country, especially those in the worst affected areas and the mining area, to actively participate in the exercise.
He charged all legal concessionaires to support the Green Ghana project to reclaim Ghana’s lost Forest resources.
“Government will play its role. We as individuals, leaders, and opinion leaders in our various communities need to support and collaborate in order to enjoy the benefits we derive from trees”, he said.
In all, a total of 25000 seedlings of various species of economic, fruit, ornamental, and shade trees such as mahogany, sapele, and odum were planted in Tebrebe, Tarkwa, Abosso, Simpa, Nsuem and other mining and non-mining communities.
In a related development, Takoradi Technical University, in collaboration with Karpowership also took part in the Green Ghana project by planting about 3000 seedings at Subri, a farming community in Wassa East District in the Western region.
The Head of Corporate Communication of Karpowership, Miss Sandra Amanquaye said they feel obliged to support the national campaign aimed at helping restore the lost forest cover.
