By Michael Owusu Duodu
Mankranso, (Ashanti), April 17, GNA –The Reverend Augustine Dabo, the Chairman of the Hotspot Management Board (HMB) of the Ahafo Ano Hotspot Interventional Area (HIA) has called Ghanaians to support and contribute to mitigating climate change impact in the country.
The HIA is under the implementation of the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+Programme (GCFRP).
Rev Dabo made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the side-lines of a meeting of the HMB at Mankranso in the Ahafo Ano South-West District of the Ashanti Region.
He urged the public and farmers to plant more trees to help restore the depleted forest and vegetative covers and reduce carbon emissions to boost food productivity.
Rev Dabo, also the Founder of the Royal Disciples of Christ Ministry said tree planting and reforestation would increase rainfall patterns, protect buffer zones, and boost agricultural activities, and thereby improve food productivity.
He said the GCFRP, with support from the World Bank, had drilled 18 boreholes, and provided 1,680 dual desks and 600 teachers desks to schools in 18 communities in HIA operational area.
The HIA is also in the process of distributing cutlasses and Wellington boots to the farmers in the area.
Rev Dabo condemned the growing illegal mining activities which were causing extensive destruction to the environment and natural resources, and spoke against illegal logging, bush burning and other negative practices driving climate change.
He said the GCFRP six HIAs nationwide, including Ahafo Ano, Asunafo, Kakum, Sefwi Wiawso-Bibiani, Juaboso-Bia and Atiwa in the Ashanti, Ahafo, Central, Western North and Eastern Regions, respectively.
The Progamme aimed at primarily educating farmers and the public on environmental and forest preservation, protecting buffer zones, and providing logistical and technical support to farmers to help mitigate climate change impact in the country.
GNA
DEN/AD