1000 coconuts seedlings planted on Sakunmono wetlands

As part of measures to conserve the ecology of the Sakumono Ramsar Site, Friends of Ramsar Site (FORS) in collaboration with two public institutions on Thursday embarked on a massive coconut planting exercise on the wetlands.

The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supported FORS to plant 1000 coconut seedlings on a 50 acre land to help restore the natural balance of the wetland which is being destroyed by encroachers.

Nii Alabi Gbene II, Sakumono Mantse, planted the first tree to symbolize his personal crusade to help conserve and protect the Ramsar site.

Nii Gbene II said he would provide the necessary support to help conserve the area for future generations and attract the needed investment to achieve sustainable development, and called for assistance of the security agencies in their conservation efforts.

Mr. Richard Agorkpa, Executive Director, Friends of Ramsar Site (FORS), disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), that an additional 1000 grafted mango seedlings would be planted soon at the area.

Mr. Agorkpa commended UNEP for providing funds to help treat urban waste water for farmers to cater for their vegetables and the trees at the Ramsar site.

He said the exercise will help enhance the ecological balance and beauty of the place and would also ensure that the place is well conserved; adding that, the tree planting will deter encroachers.

Madam Irene Heathcote, Director of EPA, Tema, told the GNA in an interview that the Sakumono Ramsar site is a peculiar one because it is located in an urbanized area and that the Agency would ensure that the place is well conserved and not given out for property development that is not conservation oriented.