The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Asokwa, Chief Akwannuasah Gyimah on Friday morning led staff and officers of the Assembly as well as other heads of departments of state agencies at the Municipality to plant about 5, 000 tree species and seedlings.
Planting the first tree specie which was the Royal dwarf palm tree at the precincts of the Municipal Assembly, Chief Akwannuasah noted the importance of the Green Ghana Project by the government of Ghana.
Apart from the aesthetic importance of tree planting, the MCE said the planting of trees has the potential of enhancing the quality of air that persons breathe in the country.
He therefore urged the public to embrace the idea from government and be involved in any drive aimed at encouraging people to plant trees.
“As I plant this tree today at Asokwa just as many including the President and the Asahtehene would be doing elsewhere I would want to urge every citizen of Ghana to inculcate this habit and do so every time they would have opportunity so that together we can plant trees to make Ghana green”, the MCE stated.
MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENT OFFICER:
Speaking to this reporter at the event grounds, Joel Guma, Asokwa Director of Environment and Sanitation said the objective of the tree planting exercise was to ensure Ghana and in particular Asokwa becomes a green environment.
He disclosed that 5, 000 tree species including Acacia, royal dwarf palm, teak and potted plants had been made available to Asokwa for planting today.
Mr Guma said the Assembly had released seedlings of the tree species to state institutions and departments in Asokwa including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the security agencies, the Ghana Education Service (GES), Assembly members as well as other interested persons and groupings in Asokwa to plant same in the Municipality.
He commended the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa as well as the chiefs and people of the Municipality for showing interest in the national exercise.
PARTICIPANTS:
Yaw Boafoh, a former student of Kumasi High School who took part in the exercise expressed happiness about the ability to plant a tree in the Asokwa Municipality.
He noted that he had seen many persons plant trees previously in Kumasi but had not physically taken part.
Mary Mensah, a hawker near the Asokwa Shopping Mall said she was happy getting the opportunity to plant a tree in today’s exercise.
She commended the Asokwa Municipal Assembly for making it possible for ordinary people to have access to seedlings to participate in the national exercise.
STORY BY MICHAEL OFOSU-AFRIYIE, KUMASI.