Apedwa Akyem (E/R), June 7, GNA- Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, has expressed worry about the deforestation of the country's forest reserves through human activities. He said it was unfortunate that the country's total forest cover of 8.2 million hectares, had been reduced to about one million by the end of the last century, resulting in Ghana's forest resources being considered as one of the highest degraded in the developing world.

Mr Ofosu- Ampofo therefore called for consented efforts from all well meaning Ghanaians, to join forces to fight the unfortunate situation in order to save the forest reserve for future generations. The regional minister expressed the concern, at the launching of the Okyeman Environmental Day celebration, which coincided with the World Environment Day at Apedwa in the East Akyem Municipality.

Mr Ofosu- Ampofo said people should not be concerned only about the gains they made from activities such as farming, agriculture, logging, mining, and human settlement, among other things, but should also consider the negative effects of their actions on the forest. "We should indeed be thinking about the general well being of our fellow human beings, because the benefits to be derived from the forest reserves far outweigh what we achieve through deforestation." he added. Mr Ofosu- Ampofo said deforestation or degradation of the environment, which had brought about climate change, was also responsible for the increase in the concentration of infrared absorbing gases from human activities.

He said government had therefore instituted some interventions to address the adverse effects of climate change, which include the creation of separate ministries to handle environmental, land and natural resources.

Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panyin, who launched the programme, dubbed: "Plant Our Future," used the occasion, to commence a 10- year reforestation project.

He said the project was a conservation programme, which had the central objective of contributing to efforts being made globally to combat climate change, through the rehabilitation of degraded forest reserves.

Okyehene Ofori Panyin said the project was a response to the overwhelming degradation of forest resources in Okyeman and its environs, which used to be a densely forested area, which earned the accolade "Kwaebibirem".

He said presently, over 80 per cent of the forests had been degraded through commercial logging both legal and illegal, unsustainable agricultural practices, bad mining practices, over population and expansion of settlements, poor environmental laws and poverty.

"The people of Okyeman believe that the best thing to do to reduce the pressure on the forests, is to plant more suitable tree species to increase the size of the forest, to meet the needs of future generation as well as managing the existing ones," he added. The Okyehene said by planting more trees, it would be possible "for us to meet our obligation under international protocols and conventions".

He said the overall objective of the project is to rehabilitate at least 40 per cent of the forest reserves and off reserves in Okyeman, within the next 10 years.

The Okyehene said the specific objectives of the programme were to plant 200,000 indigenous tree species annually for 10 years, educate people on the need to conserve the forests, establish alternative livelihood projects aimed at reducing poverty and the creation of a centre for sustainable development. 07 June 09