The Ghana Photo-journalists Network (GPNeT) in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Forestry Commission (FC) yesterday organised a tree planting exercise to commemorate World Photography day in Accra.
Observed on the theme: “Restoring Ghana’s Vegetative Cover: The Contribution of the Photo-journalist,” it formed part of the green Ghana initiative launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to plant five million trees to save the environment from depleting.
In attendance were officials of the AMA, FC, some civil society organisations and members of the association.
World Photography Day is an annual celebration of art, science, and history of photography. It is observed every year on August 19 to pay tribute to the art of photography.
The commemoration of the day also seeks to encourage people to pursue photography as a hobby or career.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Mohammed Adjei Sowah, Metropolitan Chief Executive of Accra stated that planting trees would protect the environment from climate change, and also help protect watersheds, reduce erosion, moderate climatic conditions to provide habitats for fauna, food for birds and other wildlife.
According to him, the practice would ensure that Ghana’s natural environmental resources were not depleted to affect human survival.
He said this year’s exercise should not be in futility and encouraged every Ghanaian to make it a point to plant, at least a tree, in a year and nurture it to grow.
Mr Sowah said people were logging trees legally and illegally due to its economic value, and called on society to ensure more trees were planted to replace lost ones for posterity.
“However, looking at the trend now trees logged are not replaced and it is affecting the very survival of humans living on the environment,” he added.
Mr Kwame Agyei, Greater Accra Regional Manager of the FC noted that for the government’s initiative of planting five million trees countrywide to become a reality, Ghanaians should own the initiative and make tree planting a regular habit.
“Because trees are beneficial to us as a people and due to the changes in the environment, it will be imperative to plant more trees to refresh the environment,” he said.
Mr David Andoh, President of the GPNeT, expressed happiness about the move and urged all Ghanaians to join forces to fully support the Green Ghana project.
He said the survival of humans was based on the number of trees available, therefore “we cannot watch the forest reserves deplete.”
GPNeT is a registered press photography organisation with more than 100 photojournalists and videographers, working with renowned media houses in the country as members.
GPNeT among its objectives, seeks to build the capacity of its members to use their photographic skills to highlight socio-economic and cultural issues with a view to bringing about solutions that would make life better for all.
PHO
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
