Obuasi (Ash), June 7, GNA – The AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has donated a variety of tree seedlings to the Municipal Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
About 600 seedlings of varied tree species were to be planted in the Municipality as part of efforts to protect the ecosystem.
Mr Nixon Asante, Senior Manager for Environment, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, said an intact ecosystem was key for the survival of humanity and all life forms.
“If we can restore our ecosystem, our tourism industry will see a huge boost.
“An environment that has lost its green cover and biological diversity will not attract any tourists,” the Senior Manager observed.
The donation, which coincided with the celebration of the 2021 World Environment Day, aimed to create awareness on the importance of tree planting.
“Ecosystem Restoration – Growing Trees, Greening Cities,” was the theme for the commemoration.
Mr Asante said it was sad to see the environment getting destroyed in the manner seen today, stressing that the negative economic, social and environmental effects of ecosystem destruction was far-reaching.
Investing in the restoration of the ecosystem, according to the Senior Manager, was significant as it would help address these crises.
“If we can win the fight against climate change and its effects, then there is the need to plant more trees at the local and national levels,” Mr Asante told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the side-lines of the programme.
Mr Emmanuel Baidoo, Senior Manager for Sustainability, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, who was on hand to give support to the programme, lauded stakeholders for their interest in preserving the ecology and biodiversity.
He called for collective action and partnerships to create awareness on the importance of sustaining efforts, preventing, halting and reversing the degradation of the ecosystem.
AngloGold Ashanti, he noted, was committed to its value of respecting the environment and, therefore, conducting its operations in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.
Mr Joseph Amoako Addai, Senior Programme Officer at the EPA Municipal Office, urged the public to rethink their relationship with the natural ecosystem and biodiversity to safeguard a more environmentally responsible world.
GNA