Barclays Miles Team plants trees on Kumasi-Obuasi road

Kumasi, Oct.10, GNA - Barclays Miles Ahead Expedition Team that arrived in Kumasi from the Northern parts of the country on Saturday planted 200 trees from the Santasi roundabout to Anyinam on the Kumasi-Obuasi road. The exercise was to help the city to reclaim its accolade, "The Garden City of West Africa".

Speaking before the exercise took off, Mr Simon Dornu, Head of Treasury of Barclays Bank said the Bank considered the social well being and environment of communities where it operated to improve. He said the bank's branches in Kumasi would adopt the trees and nurture them until they matured and was optimistic the residents would assist. Mr Dornu said the Team was touring the country to produce a documentary on tourist centres and raise money to support community projects within the bank's catchment areas.

Nana Osei Owusu Banahene, Asanteman Nkosuohene who deputized for Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, Asantehene and planted the first seedling expressed the Asantehene's interest in the activities of the Bank and was optimistic other financial institutions would emulate them. "We know the importance of trees, they provide beautification and serve as wind brakes, so we are solidly behind you and ask that you try to nurture them to grow," he added.

Mr David Owusu-Amoah, Public Relations Director at the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) said the RCC had set up a Secretariat to promote tourism in the region. He stressed the need for the people to refrain from land and environmental degradation to ensure healthy surroundings.