The University of Cape Coast (UCC), has planted 71,000 tree seedlings as part of activities to commemorate its sixtieth anniversary.
The exercise was the university's contribution to the government's “Green Ghana Project,” which commenced on Friday, June 10, 2022, across the country for the planting of 20 million trees nationwide.
The “Green Ghana Project” was initiated by the government through the Forestry Commission, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Professor Johnson Nyarkoh Boampong, the Vice-Chancellor of UCC in a short remark to start the exercise, asked Ghanaians to take deliberate steps to restore the lost vegetation cover caused by human activities, to mitigate the threats of climate change.
He noted that deforestation had led to the reduction in oxygen concentration in the atmosphere, caused erratic rainfall patterns and the outbreak of various unknown diseases which needed urgent solutions
Professor Boampong, therefore, lauded the government for initiating the Green Ghana Project, which he said, would go a long way in restoring, if not all, a large portion of the country's forest cover.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university nurtured the 30,000 trees planted last year and they were doing well.
He said the university was training students in effective agriculture to inculcate the habit of planting and nurturing in them.
Professor Boampong said planting trees which is in line with government's Green Ghana Project, was part of his vision to green UCC and to protect the environment.
The trees being planted on the 60 hectares of school land, included exotic species, notably teak and mahogany, Ofram, cedrela and among others.
Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, the Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area who took part in the exercise, said it was imperative to challenge the climate with the planting exercise to restore the forest.
He suggested that the exercise be done monthly to speedily recover the lost reserves instead of on a yearly basis, urging the commission to ensure that all the trees planted were tracked to achieve the expected results.
The Oguaamanhen called on residents of Oguaa to take advantage of the day, plant a tree, nurture them to make the area green and beautiful.
For his part, Mr Michael Pentsil, the Regional Manager of the Forest Services Division, said the Region was expected to plant 1.6 million trees today but was poised to exceed its target.
He said the commission had collaborated with all stakeholders, especially Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to make the Region greener and brighter.
Mr Pentsil said the exercise had become necessary as the country's forest and water bodies were being destroyed by the illegal activities of miners.
He urged all to collectively plant a tree today to support the commission, take a selfie with it and own it for the benefit of the unborn generation.
