Tema, July 1, GNA - The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday planted 1,800 tree seedlings on the shoulders of a three-kilometer street linking Tema Community Three to the western gate of the Tema port.

The tree planting exercise forms part of programmes for the celebration of World Environment Day which was celebrated worldwide on June 05 under the theme, "Your planet needs you, unite to combat climate changes," with the local theme being, "plant and nurture a tree to green Ghana."

They were joined in the exercise by some police personnel and selected school children in Tema.

Mr Richard Deih, General Manager in charge of Estate, Environment and Insurance of the GPHA, said port activities impact on the environment as they operate with heavy duty vehicles and ships that emit carbon dioxide that need trees to absorb.

He said apart from providing shade, the strategic location of the trees at the entrance to the port would not only beautify the area but would also reduce its carbon footprint.

Mr Amoako Agyekum, Greater Accra Regional Director of the EPA, said his outfit decided to plant the trees along the new street due to its bare surroundings and the type of vehicles that ply the road. He said carbon dioxide emitted from trucks that ply the street posed danger to the health of drivers, passengers and other road users and that the trees were needed to absorb the carbon dioxide in exchange for oxygen.

Mr Agyeman said in addition to beautifying the place, it would also help protect some equipment at the port as it would serve as wind break.