Accra, July 27, GNA - Thirty million tree-seedlings have so far been planted since the exercise began five months ago to commemorate the centenary birthday of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President. The exercise which had covered the Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo and Eastern Regions had now reached the Ashanti Region. Mr Kwabena Osei-Bonsu, Chief Executive of "Kick Malaria out of Africa", a Non-Governmental Organization undertaking the exercise, said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday. He said about 100 million tree-seedlings were expected to be planted in all the 10 regions at the end of the exercise on September 21, the birthday of Dr Nkrumah.

Mr Osei-Bonsu said in the Ashant Region, the exercise would cover Anamon, Wenchi-Abofuor and Atwima Nwabiagya, all in the Offinso South District.

He said from the Ashanti Region, the exercise would be undertaken in the northern parts of the country where about 20 million trees would be planted.

Mr Osei-Bonsu said if every Ghanaian were to plant five trees, about 100 million trees would be planted to boost the afforestation programme.

He urged the youth to be actively involved in the exercise which he said would help eradicate poverty.

Baffour Asare Owusu Amoatia V, Bantamahene, who has promised to plant one million trees, called on other chiefs to embrace the exercise to honour the great man of Ghana.