Tree planting necessary for ecological development - Professor

Adoagyiri-Nsawam (E/R), July 13, GNA - Professor Ofori Sarpong of the University of Ghana, Legon, has called on Ghanaians, particularly students, to continue planting trees to prevent the effects of climate change. He noted that trees save rivers and streams from drying up, cool the environment, serve as wind-breaks and provide serene atmosphere for students to study as well as served as feed for animals during the harmattan season. Professor Sarpong gave the advice at a seminar on climate change for second cycle schools at the weekend at Adoagyiri St Martin Senior High School near Nsawam in the Akuapem South Municipality. Mr George Ahadzie, Executive Director of Green Earth Organisation (GEO), a Non Governmental Organisation, organisers of the seminar, said the effect of climate change had been a major concern for nations all over the world.

He said, the situation culminated in holding of the global conference in Rio de Janeiro 18 years ago in Brazil to find common solutions to the problems of environmental degradation. He said serious among these problems were forests or biodiversity, water, land and wetland degradations including the pollution of the sea and the air. Mr Ahadzie urged students to undertake tree planting during their holidays in their vicinities to prevent erosions and protection of properties from destruction. Mr Edmond Christian Paye, who chaired the function, called on students to take what they had learnt at the seminar to their homes and schools and ensure that they encouraged their peer groups to participate in tree planting to save the environment. Present at the seminar were Aburi Presby Secondary Technical, Nsawam Senior High School (SHS), Amasaman SHS, Asamankese SHS, Mangoase SHS, Akroso SHS, St Martins SHS and Coaltar Presby Technical SHS.