NGO to plant 50 million trees to commemorate Nkrumah’s birthday

Accra, July 7, GNA — Kick Malaria Out of Africa, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), championing the cause of malaria eradication in Africa through sports, has planted 5.5 million tree-seedlings since the tree-planting exercise began five months ago.

The exercise, to commemorate the centenary birthday of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President, has now reached the Eastern Region after covering Greater Accra, Volta Region and six communities in the Afram Plains.

Mr Kwabena Osei-Bonsu, Chief Executive of the NGO, in an interview with Ghana News Agency on Tuesday said the exercise was carried out with assistance from the Forestry Commission.

He said about 50 million tree-seedlings made up of mango, teak, cashew and acacia would be planted at the end of the exercise on September 21.

Mr Osei-Bonsu said the pioneering role played by Dr Nkrumah in liberating the African from slavery must be embraced by all.

He said the legacy of Dr Nkrumah, who stood for unity, had made Ghana and Africa what they were today.

Mr Osei-Bonsu commended the African Union for adopting Dr Nkrumah's birthday as an event for the entire continent and appealed to the union to also embrace his ideologies.

He urged members of the public to at least plant five tree-seedlings to help reduce deforestation being faced by Africa.

Mr Osei-Bonsu appealed to the Ministry of Education to set up a community library which would be stocked basically with Dr Nkrumah's speeches for the benefit of school children.

GNA