Ecoclub 360 demonstrates commitment to environmental protection through tree planting

As part of efforts to ensure environmental sustainability, Ecoclub 360, a community-based and youth-oriented NGO for environmental sustainability has embarked on a massive tree planting campaign at the Dodowa forest in the Greater Accra Region.

Over 500 trees were planted at the steadily degraded Dodowa forest after a climate procession through Dodowa.

The NGO together with relevant stakeholders including the Forestry Commission, Ghana Health Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Shai Osudoku District Assembly, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Asaseyaa Foundation, the Ghana Education Service (GES) amongst others, embarked on the procession aimed at raising awareness on the devastating effects of climate change and environmental degradation.

Titled ‘Amplifying climate solutions for sustainable development and democratic governance,’ the climate procession formed part of Ecoclub 360’s project funded by the CDD-Ghana and the Danish Embassy.

Held on the theme, ‘Empowering communities for climate resilience, peace and social cohesion,” the participants of the procession began at the Matetse Taxi Rank through the principal streets of Dodowa, the market and to the Dodowa forest as its final destination.

With deforestation identified as a major threat to the Shai Osudoku District, about 500 tree seedlings were planted by the team led by the specialist institution, the forestry commission, to replenish the degraded portions of the once wooded Dodowa forest.

Underscoring the motivation behind the activity, Founder and Executive Director of the Ecoclub 360 observed that aside from strengthening collaboration amongst key stakeholders to take climate action by protecting the environment, she also observed that the environmental protection and sustainability together with climate change were critical areas that required urgent attention.

Madam Patience Ahiabor asserted: “Today, we decided to embark on a climate procession…the project is to ensure that we protect our environment, we take climate action.”

Furthering, she noted: “We understand the vital role of forests and vegetation in sustaining the environment by providing oxygen so continued destruction of these resources threatens not only our own well-being but also the integrity of nature itself.”

The local Assembly has positioned itself to ensure the that the newly planted seedlings are protected to ensure their survival.

A petition was presented to the district Assembly at the end of the exercise to the district Assembly to urge them to strengthen its environmental laws towards environmental and tree preservation.

Presiding Member (PM) of the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly, Mr. Noah Sabutey received the petition on behalf of the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Fred Offei.

Credit Michael Oberteye