Accra, Aug. 31, GNA - The Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GIS) on Tuesday presented an award to the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, for his contribution towards forest conservation and environmental management.

The inscription on a plaque presented to him said it was; "In appreciation of your keen interest and distinguished patronage of the activities of the Institution."

Mr Charles K. Sagoe, President, GIS in presenting the plaque to the Okyenhene's said the Okyenhene's love for sound environmental practices was unparalleled.

"Since the enstoolment of Osagyefo he has never hidden his concern for ensuring healthy lives for his people and to him, this could not be achieved without addressing the issues of preservation of our forest resources among others."

Mr Sagoe said the Okyenhene had always been advocating for a balance between developmental objectives and sound forest and environmental management.

"To the Institution, whose members are always involved in land-based activities, we acknowledged the Okyenhene as a friend since we both share a common concern on the preservation of the natural resources and the management of the environment", he said.

Mr Sagoe appealed to the Okyenhene to use his good offices to campaign against the building of living quarters along hilly places such as the Oyarifa-Aburi road.

"The potential danger of these developments to us is too serious to be ignored."

He said hilly slopes were exposed to problems such as landslides, massive soil erosion and other environmental impacts. Osagyefo Amoatia in receiving the award thanked the members of GIS for the recognition accorded him.

He said environmental protection was a duty of all citizens and that for the 12 years of democratic rule, the nation still had a lot to learn, hence there was the need for all Ghanaians to continue to work within the bounds of the constitution to ensure a sustained democratic rule.

He urged mining companies to be considerate about their activities that adversely affected the lives of the local people and that the lives of such communities depended on the land.