Akosombo (E/R), June 11, GNA – The Volta River Authority (VRA) has kickstarted an initiative to increase the dwindling stock of Talbotiella Gentii, an extinct plant, only found in Ghana.
Apart from its biodiversity significance globally, Talbotiella Gentii, locally called “Takrowanua” provides nutrients such as nitrogen to the soil, which boosts crop yield.
Mr Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, the Chief Executive Officer of VRA, said this in a statement delivered on his behalf at a brief event to mark the Green Ghana Day at Akosombo in the Eastern Region.
The initiative, which is part of the Company’s sustainability plan would see 1300 seedlings of Tolbotiella Gentii, 500 seedlings of Mahogany and 500 seedlings of Silk Cotton planted and nurtured at the degraded part of Sapawso Forest Reserve, at Akosombo.
The day has been set aside by the Government to plant trees as a climate crisis mitigation measure, protect watersheds, restore degraded forest, beautify communities and environment.
Mr Antwi-Darkwa said for over the past 61 years, maintenance of the Volta Basin and the sustainability of its environment had been key components of the Authority’s business.
He stated that continuous depletion of forest vegetation through human activities was a great concern and called on the public to support the Government’s initiative aiming at planting and nurturing 20 million seedlings this year.
“We believe that when trees are threatened, our environment is at stake; and, when the environment is on the line, the lives of all people in and around our catchment areas are threatened,” he said.
Mr Martin Kusi Manu, a Project Manager at Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS), told the GNA that a recent study revealed that 15 out of the 28 known species had gone extinct.
The major threat, he noted, included farming, wildfire and charcoal burning.
He stated that inadequate knowledge of the species and global recognition by farmers and local communities had contributed to the disregard for laws protecting them.
Mr Manu mentioned that GWS working with some stakeholders had also planted 3,000 seedlings to complement the initial 2,000 seedlings planted.
According to the Africa Report 2020, the Talbotiella gentii is a specie endemic to Ghana and listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List as Critically Endangered.
GNA