Bibiani (W/R), June 5, GNA - Mr Daniel Owiredu, Deputy Chief Operations Officer of AngloGold Ashanti for Africa, has observed that though Ghana appears to be in the comfort zone, the threat of creeping desertification was very real.

He noted that as trees are cut down to remove the country's foliage to construct factories and estate development programmes nationwide, coupled with the building of schools, markets and other facilities, "we are in effect progressively inviting the threat of desertification to become a reality".

Mr Owiredu was speaking at this year's World Environment Day organized by AngloGold Ashanti, Bibiani Mine at Bibiani at the weekend. The theme for the celebration was: "Deserts and Desertification". Mr Owiredu said current statistics had shown that 30 to 40 percent of the country's 238,527 square km land area was subject to desertification.

For this reason, the AngloGold Ashanti donated 3,000 seedlings from Bibiani Mine's Woodlot Nursery to the people of Bibiani as the company's contribution in support of this year's World Environment Day celebration.

Mr Owiredu said Ghana was a signatory to the Convention to combat desertification and had put in place major policies, plans and legislations toward achieving that. Nana Andoh, Director of Mining at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), commended AngloGold Ashanti, Bibiani Mine, for recognizing that the long-term sustainability of business was dependent upon good stewardship in both protection of the environment and the efficient management of mineral resources.

Mr Kingsley Adjei Manu, Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District Chief Executive, commended the chiefs, school children, as well as heads of decentralized departments for supporting the celebration of the Day.