GSWL sponsors tree planting as part of Ghana @ 50 Celebration

Wassa Akyempim (W/R), Feb. 24-GNA-Golden Star Wassa Limited (GSWL), a mining company based at Wassa Akyempim in conjunction with the Chiefs and pupils on Friday undertook a tree planting exercise in the town as part of Greening Ghana Initiative (GGI), a project embodied in Ghana @ 50 Celebration.

At a brief ceremony preceding the exercise, Mr Henry Tandoh, Mines Manager GSWL said planting trees at Ghana @ 50 should be used as a focal point to renew and strengthen the relationship between the Mine and the catchment communities.

He said the Mine would continue to team up with the communities to undertake development projects in the area. Mr Tando said the introduction of Development Endowment Fund by the Mine and its constant contribution to it makes it transparent the distribution of projects in the communities within the Mine's area of operation.

He said apart from the seedlings provided, the Mine was prepared to provide more seedlings for planting in various communities. Nana Kwame Andoh, acting divisional chief of Manponse, said if some had to struggle and even die in achieving independence for current generation to enjoy then the onus falls on present generation to make a mark in protecting the environment for posterity.

He said Ghana @ 50 calls for a reflection of the state of the current environment compared with the environment before Independence, saying, a lot of degradation had gone on and there was the need to reverse it.

Nana Ando told the people to water and take good care of the trees to make the town beautiful.

He commended the previous and present governments for their roles played in maintaining good governance in the country. Mr Michael Boateng, Health, Safety and Environment Superintendent, GSWL, said the environment has to be restored after being tampered with and involving children in tree planting would whip up their interest in protecting the environment.

He appealed to the people to cultivate the culture of protecting the environment to sustain the initiative. The school children went on a route match with placards amid brass band music to create awareness about the need to protect the environment.

Some of the placards read: 93let us practice afforestation, trees beautifies the environment, desertification must stop, plant a tree to save the environment".