Public cautioned against indiscriminate cutting down of trees

Mr. Augustine Kofi Gyedu, the Forestry Commission’s Bono Regional Manager, has issued a warning against the careless felling of trees in the area.

As the region celebrated Green Ghana Day on June 7, 2024, Mr. Augustine Kofi Gyedu cautioned chainsaw operators and plot holders against the act without permissions.

On the fringes of the ceremony on Friday at the 3 Garrison Liberation Barracks in Sunyani, which aimed to plant 750,000 trees in the Bono Region, the regional manager spoke with Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Ark FM.

According to Mr. Gyedu, the purpose of the day is to encourage people across the country to plant and protect trees, raise public awareness of the value of forests, and improve family food security and biodiversity while reducing the effects of climate change.

When asked about measures being put in place to stop indiscriminate cutting down of trees, he said, tress planted in the region would be nurtured and protected to ensure the success of the green Ghana project.

He noted that illegal cutting down of trees was punishable by law, thus, discouraged the public to refrain from such activities.

Mr. Augustine Kofi Gyedu touted past achievements of the initiative in the Region.

“I’m glad to inform you that, we in the Bono Region have always exceeded our previous targets. During the 2023 edition for example, we distributed and planted 1,130,000 seedlings throughout the region, thereby exceeding our targets of 600,000 with a survival rate of 83%” he noted.

Mr. Gyedu commended the Sunyani Division of the Commission for emerging the best district in Ghana with the highest seedlings distributed and planted, thus 718,362 in the year 2023.

He also called on collaborators such as the traditional authorities, churches and  mosques, schools, security agencies, NGOs, associations and private individuals to support the tree planting initiative.

He believes, their active involvement will boost the morale of the people in Bono to actively involve themselves in the course.

He schooled individuals who participated in the tree planting to nurture them and take pictures with their plants to showcase their efforts.

On her part, the Bono regional minister, hon. Justina Owusu Banahene said Government through the Forestry Commission and other partners, initiated tree planting and conservation programmes to safeguard the environment.

Justina Awo Banahene noted that this year’s theme “Growing for a Greener Tomorrow” reminds citizens of the role played by trees, especially in the face of climate change-related problems.

To this end, the minister was optimistic that the initiative will help address the environmental and health threats posed by deforestation.

Ms. Justina emphasized the significance of increased stakeholder involvement and improved teamwork in order to meet the initiative’s 750,000 seedling planting target through the Green Ghana program.

The Paramount Queen of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Akosua Dua Asor Sika Brayie II, spoke as the event’s chairperson and praised President Nana Akufo Addo and the Forestry Commission for their effort, which would restore the region’s and Ghana’s overall lost natural forest cover.

In addition to highlighting the positive effects planting trees will have on the ecology and the general public, Nana Akosua Dua Asor Sika Brayie II also emphasized the significant health risks that deforestation brings.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com/Kaakyire Kwasi Afari