By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), March 15, GNA – The Volta and Oti Branch (Branch 6) of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has undertaken a tree-planting exercise ahead of its 56th Annual General Meeting and Conference scheduled to be held in Ho.
The exercise, carried out early on Saturday, saw members and executives of GhIE, representatives of the Ho Municipal Assembly, engineering students and lecturers from Ho Technical University, and some community members plant about 100 trees along the Ho Cemetery–Barracks Road, popularly known as the Oxygen City Road, and Residency Road.
The conference will be held on the theme: “Engineering the Food Security and Sustainable Agricultural Value Chain.”
Prof Charles Atombo, Chairman of GhIE Branch 6, said the tree-planting formed part of activities marking the conference and aimed at supporting Ho’s reputation as the “Oxygen City.”
“As part of our annual meeting and conference this year, we decided to plant trees to contribute our quota to sustaining the Oxygen City branding of Ho,” he said.
Prof Atombo explained that the exercise also aligned with the theme of the conference, noting that tree planting played a key role in promoting sustainable agriculture.
He said trees help prevent soil erosion and improve water retention in the soil, which supports sustainable agricultural production.
“So the activity has a strong relationship with the theme of our conference,” he said.
He added that GhIE had a tradition of contributing to community development wherever its activities were held.
“As an institution, we believe in leaving a positive impact in the communities where we operate, and planting trees is one way of contributing to environmental sustainability and the development of the Volta Region,” he said.
Prof Atombo noted that Ho was widely known for its clean environment and fresh air, attracting visitors from other parts of the country, including Accra.
“Trees provide oxygen, and by planting more than 100 trees today, we are helping to sustain that reputation,” he said, thanking participants for supporting the exercise.
Mr Franklyn Liggie-Kudonoo, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the 56th Annual General Meeting and Conference, said the tree-planting marked the beginning of activities lined up for the conference.
He explained that the programme would begin officially on Monday with a float through parts of Ho to announce the presence of engineers in the municipality.
He said there would also be forums for young engineers and artisans, as well as recreational activities known as the “Engineering Games.”
Mr Liggie-Kudonoo said the official opening ceremony of the conference would take place on Tuesday, March 17, at the Volta Serene Hotel, the main venue for the event.
He noted that Togbe Afede XIV would serve as the Special Guest of Honour, with other dignitaries, including the President of the Republic, the Volta Regional Minister, the Minister of Housing, and the Minister of Food and Agriculture, expected to attend.
He added that the programme would include meetings of women engineers, further technical presentations, and the institution’s Annual General Meeting, where members would review activities of the past year and discuss the way forward.
The conference will climax with a banquet, while participants will also undertake technical field trips to selected agro-industrial and environmental management facilities in the region.
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu