Ho, Jul. 5, GNA - The Urban Forestry Project, under which trees are being grown along avenues and open places in all the regional capitals is to be extended to the district capitals, Professor Dominic Kwaku Fobih, Minister of Lands and Forestry announced on Monday.
He said the project, funded under HIPC Fund, has an integrated purpose of improving the aesthetic quality and environmental conditions of the towns as well as create jobs.
Professor Fobih was interacting with groups of workers planting trees under the project in Ho on the first day of his duty tour of some establishments and projects under his Ministry in the Volta Region. He urged them to show personal commitment to the project and directed that all workers on the project be given free seedlings to plant in their homes to speed up the practice of tree planting in the area.
Professor Fobih, in reaction to workers complaints stated by Mr Sampson Able (rpt Able), spokesman, promised to address the problem of late payment of wages and also look at the feasibility of providing boots for them.
He directed that provisions should be made immediately to provide first aid to the workers who got injured at site.
Mr Goh said the Fire Service was collaborating to ensure the success of the project by helping to restore protective cages put over the seedlings when displaced.
Mr Wilhelmina Asempapa, Volta Regional Director of the Parks and Gardens complained about the wanton uprooting of seedlings by some individuals.
Professor Fobih earlier met Heads of Departments and Managers of Projects under his Ministry to brief them on new policy directives, envisaged to ensure efficiency and increase public confidence in the organisations.
The Minister would visit some forest establishments, including forest reserves, woodlots and plantations in the Ketu, Ho and Jasikan Districts.
