Green Ghana: Hiahene leads advocacy at Ahafo Ano, warns against illegal mining

Otumfuo's Hiahene, Nana Professor Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, has urged Ghanaians to make it a priority to fight against activities that destroy forests and water bodies.

Reiterating the role of forests and water bodies in human lives, the traditional leader said it was very unfortunate that both the forest and water bodies keep losing their value due to bad human activities and indiscipline.

Another matter of concern he raised was the activities of illegal mining, which keep destroying the country's beautiful forests and water bodies.

The Hiahene, who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to lead the tree planting campaign in the Mankranso Forest District, said it was very important for people to get involved in the Green Ghana project by planting more trees.

Expressing worry over how people intentionally destroy forests, especially in the Ashanti Region, he gave a history, saying the Ashantis knew the importance of trees and a healthy environment before the UN introduced World Environment Day.

"The Kumasi we have today came from the name Kwaman, which was originally Kwaeman (forest area), where we used to plant Kum trees. Even the flag of the Ashanti says a lot about how we valued the importance of our forest from the beginning. The gold in the flag stands for wealth, black for the people, and green for our forest cover," he said.

He entreated every Ghanaian to join the Green Ghana campaign by planting more trees, taking good care of them, and helping to fight all illegalities.

According to him, planting more trees and failing to take good care of them would be a waste of effort and resources.

He also entreated state authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that the laws on tree and water destruction work very effectively to ensure sanity.

He also said there was a need to reclaim all lands that had been destroyed by activities of illegal mining.

On his part, the Mankranso Forest District Manager, Ishmael Boakye Agyemang, said the district is expected to plant 240,000 seedlings, out of the ten million target for the year, across the country.

According to him, the Mankranso Forest District has so far distributed 258,950 seedlings, with over 150,000 planted already. He said there is a likelihood that the district will exceed the target.

He, however, advised those who have collected the seedlings to make sure they plant them instead of just storing them.

Mentioning the challenge that is hindering their efforts, he said one very disturbing thing is the activities of illegal miners, adding that it was incumbent on everyone to fight against this scourge.

He warned people who fell trees illegally to desist from such activity.

According to him, the district is determined to fight against all illegal logging in the area, and he urged everyone to get involved since it is for the well-being of all.

Meanwhile, the year's program for the Mankranso Forest District, which was hosted at Onyina Nufu, also saw the tree planting exercise in other areas such as Nyamebekyere, Kunsu, etc.

It was participated in by high-profile chiefs such as Nana Professor Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, who led the campaign on behalf of the Asantehene; Nana Agyemang Badu-Duah, who is the chief of Kunsu; and the chiefs and elders of Mpasaaso Numbers 2 and 1, among many others.

Other personalities included the DCE for Ahafo Ano South West district, who was represented by the Presiding Member, Prince Oppong, the Senior Manager at GIADEC, Dr. Richmond Antwi Bediako, assembly members in the district, and a host of many others.