Third Phase Of Young Men's Christian Association's Trees Pogramme For The East Akyem District Launched

Kibi, Aug. 31, - The third phase of the Ghana Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) five-year tree plantation and agro- forestry scheme for East Akyem District was launched at Kibi at the weekend. The project, which is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Investment and Development of Britain through the British YMCA, is expected to encourage communities within the catchment area of the project to plant 100 hectares of woodlot and fruit trees by the end of the project. Speaking at the function,the East Akyem district chief executive, Mr Mike Odame-Darkwa, observed that the activities of chainsaw operators in the district are very disturbing and appealed to chiefs in the area to help arrest the situation. He said the assembly will form a special task force to support the efforts of the chiefs to end illegal tree felling. Mr Samuel H. E. Anim, general secretary of YMCA, said since the project was launched three years ago his organisation has been able to mobilise 76 farmers from 10 communities to plant over 250 hectares of trees. He said under the third phase, farmers from five communities will be mobilised to establish woodlots and agro-forestry farms.