The Eastern Regional Director of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Felix Addo Okyere has called on Ghanaians to cultivate the habit of tree planting to save the environment from degradation.

He said tree planting should be encouraged among individuals and groups since it does not only conserve the environment but could also serve as a means of livelihood.

Mr Addo-Okyireh made the call in an interview with Ghana News Agency in Koforidua after a forum to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day.

He expressed concern about the high rate of tree felling in some communities and said more efforts should be made for people to replace the ones they cut down.

Mr Addo-Okyireh noted that plants purify the air, provide food, clothing and shelter as well as beautify the surroundings.

"We should therefore use such natural resources with care and plant more trees and flowers to ensure the continual provision of our needs and safeguard the interest of future generation," he said.

Mr Addo-Okyireh said Ghana's total forest cover has reduced significantly and called for a radical approach to plant more trees to reclaim the lost ones.

Expressing worry over the situation, Mr Addo-Okyireh warned: "By removing the entire forest biomass, (plants and animals), biodiversity is lost, water cycle function of forests is lost, local climate for agricultural production is seriously distorted, headwaters of streams and rivers get vanished with subsequent impact on life and living."

He said the capacity to protect the natural environment and maintain a good, safe and healthy working environment must be a common concern for everybody in Ghana.

The Regional branch of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) congratulated staff of EPA for their significant contributions towards saving the environment from destruction.

The Regional Chairman of the GJA, Mr George Larbi gave the assurance that the media would collaborate with the EPA to find solutions to unwarranted activities against the environment.

He appealed to media houses to devote airtime, space and pages to discuss issues on environment in order to facilitate environmental protection.

The Deputy Regional Minister, Ms Mavis Ama Frimpong, urged the media to write more about the environment.

She said the Regional Coordinating Council would institute an award scheme for the best journalist on environment next year.

Ms Frimpong planted a symbolic tree to mark the day.

This year’s day was marked on the theme: “Raise Your Voice, Not the Sea Level,” with the local theme for the celebration being: “Green our Environment to save Ghana.”

The slogan was: “Raise Your Voice; Grow a Tree, To Green Our Environment.”