Ministry to focus on tree planting

Accra, June 17, GNA - Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources on Wednesday said his Ministry had planned to focus on massive commercial tree planting to redeem the country's forest reserve which was depleting.

He said the Ministry was committed to managing the country's natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure it existed for generations yet unborn to explore.

The Minister said this when the Bulgarian Ambassador to Ghana Mr Nedelcho Peneff called on him at his office in Accra to discuss ways to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries especially in the area of natural resources.

Ghana's relations with Bulgaria which dates back to the 60s has been characterized by technical cooperation as well as exchange programmes on education. Alhaji Dauda said human activities such as mining, logging, bush fires among other things contributed to the depletion of the country's forest reserve hence the tree planting exercise since the forest reserve was renewable.

He also said government was working out ways to add value to the country's mineral resources to enable her earn more revenue to carry out its developmental agenda.

He charged the Ambassador to woo investors in Bulgaria to establish projects that would process raw materials into finished goods. Mr Peneff commended Ghana for going through a peaceful election saying it would make the country attract investment and support from especially the European Union.