Minister calls for more tree planting

Winneba, Sept 8, GNA - Mr Mike Allan Hammah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has appealed to Ghanaians to embrace tree planting to help protect the environment.

Mr Hammah, the Member of Parliament for Effutu, made the call when he launched the 93Greening Ghana Day-2011" at Winneba. The theme for launching was 93Greening Ghana for Present and Future Generation".

The launch also formed part of activities to support the celebration of the International Year of Forests declared by United Nations General Assembly to create awareness about the importance of forest and the need to protect it from further degradation.

He appealed to government sector agencies, lands owners/chiefs, corporate entities and individuals to actively participate in tree planting programmes in their localities to help protect the environment. Ms Sherry Ayittey, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, said climate change had become one of the greatest challenges facing the world.

Mrs Ama Benyiwa Doe, the Central Regional Minister, appealed to people to desist from indiscriminate cutting of trees.

In an address read for her, she called for a stop to put to indiscriminate bush burning and illegal chain saw activities. Over 500 tree seedlings were planted at some vantage points.