NGO plants 3000 trees to mark World Environment Day

The Development Institute (DI), a Ho based Non-Governmental Organization has planted over 3000 trees along the Weto Mountain Range at Anfoeta to mark this year's World Environment Day.

The day was on the theme: "Air Pollution, we can't stop breathing, but we can do something about the quality of air we breathe".

Mr Ernest Appau, Ho West District Chief Executive who joined the exercise, at a durbar to climax the occasion at Anfoeta Tsebi said the air purity must be maintained at best quality.

He said the Assembly would work with the communities on a massive afforestation project that would include tree avenues along roads and highways in the District.

Mr Appau said the Assembly would invest in protection of the environment and conservation of the forest cover and called for support of all, especially traditional authorities.

The DCE asked the communities to make way for water bodies and protect wetlands to help increase the oxygen build up, and assured that the Assembly would prosecute illegal loggers.

He commended the DI for its work on the Weto Range, noting that, bush fires and logging had decreased significantly whiles agro forestry practices were on the increase.

Dr Moses Sainge, Environmental Advisor with DI, said the Organisation was working to protect endangered natural species, and had committed to restoring the Akuapem-Togoland Mountain Range.

He said the organisation was also working with partners including Forestry Commission and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to help transform the Volta basin, the Kalakpa forest reserve and other nature hotspots in the region.

Dr Sainge asked the communities to take up the responsibility of conserving nature, and explore alternative livelihoods to avoid the wanton destruction of the forest.

The Organisation also planted citrus and coconut trees in the Anfoeta Tsebi, Wadaxe, Zongo, and Gbogame communities, as well as shade trees in schools.

School children and the townsfolk walked through the streets carrying banners and placards with messages on protection of the environment.

Tree seedlings were distributed among members of the communities with the formation of a Community Resource Management Area (CREMA), to encourage community ownership of the natural environment.

Mr Constantine Agbo, the Committee Chairman asked members to continue to engage communities on environmental protection and maintain their position as environmental watchmen.

Togbe Deku Asem, a youth Leader of the area who chaired the programme asked land owners to consider their environment as part of the community and must not ignore sound practices for individual gains.