Traditional rulers should encourage tree planting-Abongo

Yendi,(N/R), Sept. 23,GNA- Mr Albert Abongo, Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Land and Forestry, has urged traditional rulers to encourage large scale tree plantation development especially, the Teak tree which has great economic potential, in their areas.

He said the habit of tree planting should be encouraged among individuals and groups since it does not only conserve the environment but could also serve as a means of livelihood for the people.

Mr Abongo said this when he led members of the Committee to pay a courtesy call on the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Na Yakubu Abdulai Andani, at his palace on Wednesday.

The Committee members are on a two-day inspection tour of some plantations projects undertaken by the Forestry Commission under the National Forest Plantation Development Programme (NFPP) in Damongo of the West Gonja district and the Yendi Municipality, all in the Northern Region.

Some members of the committee on the tour include: Mr Albert Zigah, Vice-Chairman and MP for Ketu South, Mr Adjei Yeboah, ranking member and MP for Tano, Ofosu Asamoah, Deputy ranking member and MP for Kade and Rev. Dr Asare-Akoto Joses, MP for Asuogyaman.

Mr Abongo highly commended the Regent of Dagbon for his keen interest in the reforestation programme, particularly noting that he summoned his sub-chiefs to release land for the development of the plantations and has also been consistently monitoring progress at the various plantations.

Kampakuya-Na Andani expressed concern about the high rate of tree felling in some communities and said more efforts should be made for people to replace the trees they cut down.

He also expressed his worry over delayed remuneration of workers at the various plantations and appealed to the Committee to intervene and search for an early solution, since this could affect the smooth implementation of the programme.

Mr Ebenezer Djaney Djagbletey, Northern Regional Forestry Manager, said a total area of 3,309 hectares of forest reserve and off-forest reserve were planted in the region as at the end of December last year, while over 4,305 people had also been engaged in the various plantations.