Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong has called for the sustenance of the tree-planting exercise as he says trees offer several benefits to humanity.
He mentions the benefits include the provision of Oxygen for inhalation and the generation of energy to the human body, for economic benefits and beautification purposes.
He expressed the need to plant trees for the next generation to gain the benefits trees provide for humanity.
The Vice-Chancellor said “…As Ghanaians, we came to meet a lot of trees in the environment, and we should continue to maintain the trees so that those who come after us also benefit from it.,”
Speaking at the Green Ghana tree-planting exercise held in partnership with the forestry commission on campus, Prof. Nyarko Boampong commended UCC for participating in the exercise over the years.
He called for its continuation by successive administrations of the University.
“It is becoming a tradition, and I hope successive vice-chancellors will continue so that we become examples to other universities to copy,” he said.
In all, the University planted 60,000 trees across 50 hectares of land together making 250,000 trees planted at the University since the beginning of the Green Ghana Day Exercise in 2021.
The Central Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Bennett Ntiamoah indicated that for 2024, the region aims to plant about 1 million trees exceeding the target for the region.
Describing the state of the trees planted over the years, he said “Generally, the region is doing around close to 85 to about 90 percent because it varies from site to site. If you go to the forest reserves, I must tell you, you will be marvelled. All the trees planted are doing very well.”
Bennett Ntiamoah expressed optimism in all who have come for the seedlings within the region to plant and nature them to offer the needed importance attached to the exercise.
“It’s not just the distribution, we are expecting that all those who have picked the seedlings, we take good care of the seedlings, nurture them to maturity so that all the things that we expect from the trees that we’ve planted, we get the full benefit out of it.” He said.
Read also: Mahama Pledges Youth Employment to Clean Beaches, Protect Fisheries
Source: Eric Sekyi/ATLFMNEWS
