Kojo Bonsu (middle) addressing the journalists
THE KUMASI Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is expending a staggering GH¢40,000 in an ambitious project which will see one million trees being planted to restore Kumasi to its glorious ‘Garden City’ status.
Speaking at a media launch of the Kumasi Urban Forestry Project, also dubbed ‘Me and My Tree Competition,’ Kojo Bonsu, the Kumasi Mayor, said the KNUST and GIZ of Germany, were also donating additional seedlings for planting.
He said the assembly and its partners including Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) were determined to plant the one million trees across the Kumasi Metropolis by 2017, calling for public support.
Kojo Bonsu announced that about 171 trees have been planted along the Asokwa Interchange and Anloga Junction road, adding that the project would be formally launched on May 21 at the forecourt of Asokwa Police Station.
The Kumasi Mayor openly bemoaned how Kumasi had lost its greenery over the years, indicating that when he assumed office as a Mayor, he vowed to restore Kumasi to its past glory, hence the tree planting project.
Kojo Bonsu stressed that without trees, life could be unbearable for human beings, saying, ‘Apart from greening the environment, trees also serve as wind breaks, check erosion and provide oxygen for man to breathe in.’
He pointed out that the one million trees would be planted along drive ways, ceremonial roads, open spaces and school compounds, adding that students would play an integral role to make the project a success.
The Kumasi Mayor noted that to ensure the success of the project, school children in the metropolis would compete for honours in a competition dubbed ‘Mama and My Tree Competition.’
The competition would see students who would be able to grow more trees being rewarded handsomely, including an excursion trip abroad, in a bid to instilling a sense of environmental awareness in the children, Kojo Bonsu said.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi
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