Larteh (E/R) Sept 16, GNA - The Environmental Concerned Citizens Association of Ghana (ECCAG) and the Chiefs and Elders of Larteh have undertaken a Tree planting exercise along the Esitay and Easiare Rivers in support of the President's Special Initiative on Tree Planting. They planted 500 seedlings including acacia, mahogany and cassia supplied by the Ministry of Environment and Science.

Speaking during the exercise, Mr Charles Kotey, Deputy Director of the Ministry, promised more seedlings if they the people take good care of the seedlings to maturity.

Mr J Y Aidoo, National President of the Association, commended the Chiefs, Elders and people for supporting the programme and assured them that the exercise would lead to job creation from the HIPC Fund and President's Initiative.

He appealed to the Chiefs and Elders to release more land for the exercise.

The Assemblywoman, Madam Vida Sam, called on the youth to show more concern for the development of the area instead of migrating to the urban centres in search of non-existing jobs.

Nana Dorkoaa, Queen mother of Larteh Kubease asked the people especially the youth to embrace family planning to enable them bring forth the number of children they can adequately care for.

The Chief of Larteh, Nana Kwatee Agyemfra Okofakyire II, commended the ECCAG and the Ministry for the initiative and appealed for more seedlings to protect water bodies in the area.

He expressed concern about the activities of chain saw operators and warned that anyone caught felling a tree without permit would be arrested and made to face the full rigours of the law.

The Chief also appealed to the people not to farm along the banks of the rivers since it is one of the ways of exposing water bodies to pollution, which leads to degradation.