Juabeso ( Western Region ) 17 Sept.,

The Juabeso-Bia District branch of the Ghana Tree Farmers Association ( GATFA ) has drawn up a five-year afforestation programme to help check the depletion of the forest by encroachers. Under the programme, species of trees including acacia, mahogany, odum, luciania and eucalyptus will be planted in the Juabeso township and other parts of the district. The programme also seeks to educate the public on the need to plant more trees and encourage the formation of watch-dog groups to check the activities of timber merchants and other users of the forest. The national chairman of GATFA, Mr Kofi Owuwu-Acheaw, launched the programme at Juabeso yesterday and urged the members to ensure its success. Groups participating in the programme include the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM), National Mobilisation Programme (NMP ), Department of Parks and Gardens, Agriculture Extension Division of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Environmental Health Services and the Juabeso-Bia District Assembly. Mr Owusu-Acheaw announced that there are plans for the association to embark on bee-keeping, livestock farming and the cultivation of black pepper for export. In a welcoming address, Mr Philip Amponsah, secretary of the association said GATFA has acquired a 10-acre land through the Chief of Juabeso-Bia, Nana Akwasi Mensah the second, for tree nursery and demonstration farms. He said 600 seedlings of various tree species have been planted in the township and appealed for assistance in form of transport and other logistics to enhance the work of the association.