Wasamire (Ash), Dec. 16, GNA - About 2,000 hectares of the degraded Desiri Forest in the Atwima Mponua District, has been re-afforested with mixed species of cedralla, emire, ofram, mahogany, teak and mangonia, all endangered wood species. Meanwhile, more than 700 workers under the Government's Plantation Development programme are said to be old to do the work. These workers are supposed to facilitate the re-afforestation at Wasamire, Achiase, Sreso, Domiabra Asuokoo and Essienkyem, among other communities in the district.

Mr Lawrence Kwabena Brobbey, the Plantation Supervisor, who told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during a fun game held for the workers on Tuesday at Wasamire, said the re-afforestation programme had reduced hunger to the barest minimum in most communities. He said workers, who use the revised Taunja System, sell eight to ten truck loads of plantain and cocoyam every week and that 40 of them were building their own houses with funds from such sales. The plantation supervisor also deplored the hostile attitudes of some illegal cocoa farmers, who burn the reserve during dry seasons in search of games, and in the process uprooted the newly-planted trees. He appealed to the District Forest Manager to engage the police to deal ruthlessly with those who farm in the reserves.