The Green Republic Project has marked this year’s World Environment Day on Wednesday with the planting of trees at Tema and schools within the Tema Metropolis.
The event, in collaboration with the Green Republic Project, the Indian High Commission and other stakeholders, was also used to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Indian activist, Mahatma Gandhi.
In view of that, 150 trees each were planted at the Kotobabi No.2 T.M.A Primary “A” School, the Baatsona TMA Primary and along some major streets in Tema.
The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Birender Singh Yadav, said it was important for the country to plant trees to preserve the environment.
He said, “This is a global call for a positive action towards the environment and everyone must get involved.
“We are pleased to collaborate with the Green Republic Project, an initiative geared towards planting trees to avoid climate change, to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi by planting trees that would be useful to future generations,” he stated.
“This is a noble initiative by the Green Republic and I would like to urge them to increase their target of 20 million trees by 2028 to 30 million to meet Ghana’s population,” the High Commissioner said.
He urged the public to make conscious efforts to protect the environment and make uniform choices to fight against climate change.
“Let us be the change that we need to see in the world and students and the youth in general must be engaged to plant trees,” he stressed.
Convenor of the Green Republic Project, Nana Yaw Osei Dankwa said they were pleased to mark the day with the environmental initiative.
He said it was also important to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi who was the father of non-violence and also an advocate for safe environment.
“We would also try and increase our target as suggested by the High Commissioner but stakeholders must come on board to support the fight against climate change,” he stated.
He added that, they would continue to plant trees across the country while calling on the public to desist from cutting trees indiscriminately.
“We need the trees to survive and it would be very disastrous for the country if we do not change our attitude towards the environment,” he stated.
The Tema Director of Education, Margaret Nsiah Asamoah, also expressed appreciation to the Green Republic for coming on board to assist with the tree planting.
“This would go a long way to teach young ones how to take care of the environment, taking a cue from Mahatma,” she stated.
The Indian Association of Ghana headed by Rajesh Thakkar was also present to assist with the tree planting exercise.
Caption: Indian High Commission (squatting), being supported by Nana Darkwa (with shovel) to plant during the exercise
BY MICHAEL D.ABAYATEYE
