This was part of activities held to mark the World Environment Day, which falls on June 5.

Officials of EPA also used the occasion to organise a float from Kyebi to Asiakwa in the Eastern Region, distributing various fliers on the environment to create awareness on the need for all to protect the environment.

The procession saw many carrying placards some of which read:, “No one drink Gold, but Water”; “Save Our Water Bodies , Mr President”;  “When You Conserve Water, You Conserve Life”;  “Say no to Galamsey”;  “No Atiwa Forest, No Densu”;  “Keep our Forest Green, Keep our Rivers Clean’ and “Respect the Buffer Zone Policy”. 

Mr John Pwamang, Executive Director of EPA, led staff of the Agency and students of Abuakwa State College and Kyebi Senior High School to plant 1,000 various species of trees provided by the Forestry Commission, including a 100 mangrove trees that were donated by MTN Communications.

Addressing the media at Kyebi, Mr Pwamang said because trees were basic forms of life that provide oxygen and take away carbon dioxide, they play key roles in the existence of human life and nature.

He said trees also protect rivers and feed humans and so it was important that cautious efforts are made to grow trees and keep them for our sustenance.  

While expressing regret that over the years, Ghanaians as a people have not religiously observed the rules and regulations that preserved the environment, Mr Pwamang said it behooves on every individual to ensure that “our environment is kept intact for future generations.”

He said that was why the students were being involved in the tree planting exercises which are done annually to inculcate in them the habit of preserving the environment.

He said the EPA under the Greening Ghana Project is planting trees in the three northern regions to help improve and restore the vegetation and to protect the areas from the harsh weather conditions. 

Mr Ebenezer Appah-Sampong, Deputy Executive Director in charge of Technical Services, EPA, said Ghana’s theme for the Environment Day celebration was: “Connect to Nature from Cape There Point to Bawku” and so the EPA was focusing on the Atiwa Forest which is an important source of water to most parts of the country.

The Atiwa Forest Reserve, located at Segyamase, near Kyebi is the source of three main rivers, namely, Pra, Birim and Densu.

Mr Appah-Sampong said other activities earmarked for the celebration included a hike to the Atiwa forest and back on Sunday and participants would include school children, foreign embassies officials and the UN Resident Coordinator.

On Monday, June 5, a durbar would be hosted at the Okyeman Palace to be chaired by the Okyehene, Nana Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panin II, to be followed by a ceremonial tree planting activity to mark the day.