By Benjamin Akoto
Abesim, (Bono), June 6, GNA – Mr Joseph Addae Akwaboa, the Bono Regional Minister, has urged the citizenry to make tree planting sustainable practice.
He said trees had enormous spiritual, cultural and environmental significance, saying “trees are more than symbolic art, but a seed of hope and a bequeathed legacy”.
Mr Akwaboa gave the advice when speaking at the regional edition of the ‘Tree for Life (T4L) Restoration Initiative’ at the Abesim St James Seminary and Senior High School in the Sunyani Municipality.
On the theme: “Make Ghana Green”, the event was in line with the national reforestation campaign aimed at tackling the growing challenges of deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
“Tree planting must go beyond symbolism and be seen as a vital tool for restoring the environment and safeguarding our future generations”, he stated, and urged the youth to plant and nurture trees.
Mr Akwaboa said the government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission was doing everything possible to restore the lost forest and vegetative cover and tackle environmental degradation.
He said interventions, including the annual national tree-planting exercise, was an indication of the government’s commitment to restoring the forest cover and promote environmental sustainability.
Mr Akwaboa said restoring the forest cover and environmental sustainability remained collective responsibility and called on the public to embrace and support the nationwide tree planting exercise.
Mr Godfred M K Quashigah, the Bono Regional Forestry Manager, said the target was to plant 200,000 trees this year, saying so far 100,000 seedlings, including timber species, shade trees, ornamental, and fruit trees, had been distributed for planting.
That is to promote environmental awareness, support biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, and aid efforts to mitigate climate change impacts, and thereby contribute to reviving polluted water bodies and restoring critical watersheds.
He added that the T4L initiative would greatly promote sustainable livelihoods through job creation, encourage urban greening, and instill a culture of tree-growing in children and young people.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/Christian Akorlie