Bongo chief initiates tree planting exercise

Bongo (UER), July 26, GNA- Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyaroom, Paramount Chief of Bongo, in the Upper East Region, has initiated a tree planting project to arrest the ecological degradation of the area.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Bongo, after a public sensitisation programme on the project for 32 sub-chiefs and community representatives from the Bongo District, he said climatic change was leading to the drying up of lands in the area due to inconsistent rainfall pattern, which was seriously undermining farming activities.

He noted that it is against this background that he formed a non-governmental organisation (NGO) christened “Green Bongo for Sustainable Environment”.

The NGO is being supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of the United Nations Development Programme with a 224,000 dollar grant facility.

Naba Alemyaroom said so far 32 communities had been earmarked for the tree planting exercise, out of which 16 have been listed to commence the project this year.

He said the NGO would distribute seedlings to the beneficiary communities while plans were underway to nurse about 140,000 seedlings annually for planting.

The youth in the area would be trained in tree planting, compost production, the establishment of woodlots and prevention of wild fires.

“My main focus is to create a sustainable and sound environmental management in Bongo and the entire area of my jurisdiction,” he said and charged the sub-chiefs to take the project seriously to ensure its successful implementation.

He commended GEF for the support and pledged that the funding would be used judiciously to ensure a sustainable and sound environment in Bongo.

Naba Alemyaroon appealed to other donors to come to the aid of the project to combat desertification.

GNA