Winneba (C/R), Sept. 12, GNA - Mr Samuel Afari Dartey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, has said the Commission intends to establish a 10,000 hectare forest plantation this year.

He made this known at the launching of the Greening Ghana Day at Winneba and called on Chiefs and land owners to release land for the plantation development.

The event organised by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources was under the theme 'Greening Ghana for present and future generations'.

The event is an initiative aimed at restoring the lost vegetation cover of Ghana.

He said the commission has adequate tree seedlings to be distributed to various communities for planting to reverse the trend of environmental degradation in the country.

Mr Dartey said some targeted groups who should help in tree planting include the Regional Coordinating Councils, district assemblies, traditional authorities, educational institutions and religious bodies.

He urged people wishing to plant trees to contact any of the regional and district offices for seedlings and technical assistance.

Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, President of Central Regional House of Chiefs and Member of Council of State, who chaired the launching, said the forest contributes greatly to human settlement and called for the need to protect it.

The chief advised the people to plant trees in their communities to serve as windbreaks in their environment.