Accra, Oct. 7, GNA - Ghana Environmental Awareness Association, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the protection of the environment, has cautioned Ghanaians against indiscriminate felling of trees to avoid a major environmental crisis.

It has, therefore, called for the replanting of every felled tree either in the market place, compounds of homes or in the bush to achieve sustainable development.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at the weekend, Mr Theophilus Djame Magoah, Secretary of the association, noted that some building contractors were in the habit of felling trees to put up buildings or structures and stated that such trees felled must be replaced through replanting.

He warned that anyone who violated this instruction would be dealt with in accordance with the law, adding that the case of a contractor who felled some trees at Ndafa Park at Korle Gonno to put up a building had been reported to the Korle Bu Police. "We advise the entire nation to stop cutting trees and rather plant trees around their homes and market places," he said, adding that those defecating on the seashore should put a stop to it. "Tourists visiting the country are likely to visit the beaches for leisure while our youth also use for soccer practice and so must be kept clean at all times."

Mr Magoah warned that the association, in conjunction with the police and the Accra Metropolitan Authority would conduct regular exercises to rid the marketplaces, homes and beaches of all those contravening environmental laws or regulations. "Those arrested in such swoops would be compelled to clean up their mess before being released," he added.

The association, formed 12 years ago by a civil society group comprising retired officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, pensioners from civil service and concerned citizens, aims at sensitising the general public on the need to make a conscious effort to preserve and sustain the environment.

Its other objectives are to protect the environment from abuse through irresponsible use and over-exploitation of resources, train the general public on conservation methods to allow nature to regenerate itself, and to educate the public on the need to keep the environment clean and avoid pollution of water bodies.

It also intends to adopt pragmatic strategies to reach the target groups to deliver awareness messages on the need to protect the environment, organise clean-up exercises in various communities, and educate and form environmental awareness groups in communities and adjourning neighbourhoods. The association has additionally proposed a two-year programme to carry out its environmental education in collaboration with churches district assemblies and outreach programmes with the general public. 7 Oct 07