Accra, June 5, GNA - The Environmentally Concerned Citizens Association of Ghana (ECCAG), a non-governmental organization (NGO), has noted that even though a lot of awareness has been created there is the need for more commitment by the authorities, NGOs and individuals to support community-oriented programmes for the speedy regeneration and conservation of the environment.

In a statement to mark World Environmental Day, it said the national theme for the celebration "Green Communities - Healthy People" could only be achieved when the awareness creation platforms are translated, into concrete terms, to provide avenues for mass action within the communities.

The statement signed by the General Secretary, Mr. Osei Piesie-Anto, the Association urged all stakeholders to be more proactive to provide the necessary funding, logistical and technical support to promote functional programmes to mobilise community-based organisations and individuals who have demonstrated capacity and commitment to plant more trees to save our forests, water bodies, mining areas, towns and villages, which are being destroyed on a daily basis, without regard to the needs of our generation and future ones.

The Association said that even though it shares the conviction on the need to plant trees in our homes and offices, it believes that, for our cities to be spared of shanty towns and unauthorized building in water ways, rural communities need to be given more attention to attract achievable environmentally friendly activities to help stop the influx of the youth to urban centres in search of non-existing opportunities.