The Afforestation Volunteers, a Non- Governmental Organization (NGO), in collaboration with Wiafe Timbers International, have embarked on a tree planting exercise in schools and communities across in the Kwahu Ridge.

The exercise, financed by the Wiafe Timbers International, was aimed at replacing trees in the area which have been destroyed by various activities including illegal chainsaw activities and disasters. Among the beneficiary schools include Abene Methodist Junior High School (JHS), Abetifi Ridge Basic School, Abetifi D/A Basic School and the Asakraka D/A Basic School.

Mr Emmanuel Boateng- Narh, the Director of the NGO, told the Ghana News Agency that his outfit has planted over 5,000 seedlings of Cedrella and Teak in the various communities and schools. Some of the communities he mentioned were Obomeng, Abene, Mpraso, Abepotia, Wawase, Krakor, Odumase and Obo.

He said the NGO has nursed over 20,000 seedlings that they would continue to distribute to corporate bodies, churches, schools, clinics, hospitals and associations for planting. The seedlings, he said, when planted would cover over 18 hectares and would provide employment, foreign exchange and raw materials for the timber industry.

Mr Boateng- Narh said they were going to work hand in hand with the Department of Agriculture to ensure that all problems they encounter in the raising of the seedlings would be solved. He urged beneficiaries of the effort to take good care of the trees as the NGO would be carrying out frequent check- ups to ensure they were well maintained. Mr Boateng-Narh also called on interested organisations and individuals to visit their nursery centre at Atibie for collection of free seedlings for planting.

He called for support from philanthropists and all environmental stakeholders to enable the NGO to produce more seedlings and ensure that more have access to seedlings to plant.