The Forestry Commission of Afram Plains, in collaboration with all the Stakeholders in the Districts has launched the 2024 Edition of Green Ghana Tree Planting Exercise at the Kwahu Afram Plains North District Assembly Hall, in Donkorkrom under the theme: “Growing for a greener tomorrow”.
Speaking during the June 7, 2024 event, Mr. Richard Okyere-Amoateng, Director of Forestry in the Kwahu Afram Plains, Eastern Region of Ghana in a bit to conscientize the Community on the need to support the course of tree planting and make it a habit, made an assertion that “When the last tree dies, the last man dies”.
He stressed that tree planting is meant for everybody and not for a limited few, pointing out that, “Everybody is expected to be part of this venture to help us realize this noble objective.”
“Tree planting exercise is not limited to a few groups of people, it is for everybody,” he added.
Mr. Okyere-Amoateng underlined the objective of the nationwide tree planting exercise which is to conscientize people to plant 10,000,000 tree seedlings throughout Ghana; out of this number, Eastern Region is expected to plant 700,000, and Kwahu Afram Plains North District is to plant 70,000 out of the 700,000.
In an invitation sent out prior to this event, the Forestry Commission had encouraged all interested persons, Institutions or organisations, Traditional Rulers, Religious Bodies, and others to contact the District Forest Office at Donkorkrom for free seedlings and technical guidance.
The trees to be planted are of various species including timber trees such as Wawa, Mahogany, Seiba, Odum, Ofram and papao among others, Fruit trees like cashew, mango, coconut, guava, oranges, palm trees, and also Multiple and ornamental trees such as Rain tree, Royal palm, Molina, Acassia, Neem, to name but a few.
The seedlings, Mr. Okyere reiterated, were to cover every space available and conducive for plants, including churches, schools, homes, car parks, road medians, and forest reserves.
The speaker lauded the efforts of few institutions, including Holy Rosary School, Donkorkrom, who not only planted in the past years, but nurtured the growth, and he encouraged others to follow suit.
Participants at this event included three Consecrated Women: Srs. Stella Nwosu and Joy Abuh of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary (MSHR), representing Holy Rosary School and Sr. Francisca Kumevor, Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC), with Trainees from Mater Ecclesiae Skills Training Center, Kwaekese.
Other dignitaries present were, Traditional Rulers led by Nana Akuamoah Boateng Tano II, the Chief of Atakura, in Donkorkrom, Religious bodies, the Ghana Police Service, Muslim Imam, Timber contractors, the Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Service, among others.
Story and photos by Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (Sister Communicator)
