Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has appealed for more Canadian support towards efforts aimed at protecting the nation’s environment from degradation.

He noted that there was a threat to the country’s natural environment and said desertification and pollution of water bodies needed to be dealt with urgently.

The Asantehene was speaking at a durbar of chiefs held to welcome the visiting Canadian Governor General, Mr David Johnston, to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The visitor was accompanied by his wife, a delegation from Canada and public and private sector officials in the fields of business, education, social justice and development.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said plans were advanced for the launch of a project to reclaim and regenerate destroyed forests belonging to the “Golden Stool” and preserve the natural vegetation.

He said the visit of Mr Johnson provided the opportunity for Ghana and Canada to strengthen their bond of cooperation and partnership, particularly in education and research, and to share knowledge and expertise in the building industry.

The Asantehene, who is the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), said the University was ready to go into exchange programmes with its Canadian counterparts as well as joint programmes on research and innovation among the faculty, students and researchers.

Mr Johnston thanked the Asantehene for the extraordinary warm reception given to him and the delegation, and pledged that Canada would continue to work hard to improve its bilateral relations with Ghana.

Mr Johnson said Canada would support Ghana to bring development to the people.

The diplomat said he was happy that many Canadian firms had been established in Ghana, to support the socio-economic transformation of the country.