Akoefe (V/R), June 11, GNA – The Overlord of Akoefe Traditional Area in the Ho Municipality, Gligbafia Togbe Kakla Akoe Dosor IV, has led residents of the area to plant trees to protect water bodies in the area.
The occasion was the Green Ghana Tree Planting Day instituted by President Nana Akufo-Addo to replenish degraded forest and the environment.
The community has secured seedlings from the Forestry Commission to plant trees along the Atamavu Stream, Dedzi Tame, Dedzime, Numavudo Streams and Gbovle River.
The Overlord flanked by the Atamfiaga Togbe Godzo Avorkpo I, planted the first Mahogany seedling to start the exercise.
In his address to the community, Gligbafia Togbe Dosor, also the Dufia of Akoefe Tokor, upheld the adage that “When the last tree dies the last man dies,” and for this reason variety of tree species needed to be planted.
He bemoaned the recent degrading and logging of economic trees along the water bodies serving the community and urged developers to stop or face his wrath.
“Our forefathers built this community on the banks of these water bodies, and I will not allow selfish individuals to take the community for ransom by giving out the banks of these water bodies to developers to destroy our heritage. I have a sacred duty to protect all these streams. The streams and immediate lands around it are no go areas for construction,” he declared.
He added that, “any development or construction works along water bodies should cease. And anyone caught destroying a single tree planted by the community will face the full rigours of the law.”
The Overlord of Akoefe admonished the natives to be vanguards of the water bodies and protect their heritage.
Mr James Otto Adom, the youth leader, disclosed that all the major streets in the town, the main Gligbafia Palace and the Basic School compound would have their fair share of the trees for aesthetic beautification.
GNA