Accra, June 3, GNA - The MTN Ghana Foundation on Friday began planting of 3,000 tree seedlings in Accra Metropolis as part of its 21 Days of Y'llo Care programme.

It is their contribution towards this year's celebration of International Year of the Forest. Briefing the media during the exercise at Burma Camp in Accra, Mr Frazier Appeadu Malcom, Advisor to the Foundation, said every country where MTN was operating would take part in the programme.

He explained that in Ghana, Management decided to plant 9,000 tree seedlings for the nine million subscribers in the country. "Management decided to plant 3,000 tree seedlings in Accra Metropolis at Burma Camp and along the beaches because of the care we have for the environment and to highlight the importance of the environment," he added.. The exercise would be undertaken in other areas including Tarkwa, Kumasi Takoradi, and Atimpoku from June 1- June 25. "The project would afford our staff the opportunity to participate in humanitarian exercises since they also lived in the communities with the subscribers," Mr Malcom added. He explained that "21 Days of Y'ello Care" was chosen for the programme because MTN was operating in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East. Mr Oduro Barnie, Greater Accra Regional Forestry Manager of the Forestry Commission, lauded MTN for the initiative to sustain the environment. Initiated in 2007, the programme includes humanitarian projects, construction and painting of schools, hospitals and donation to orphanages and deprived communities.