Kade, Aug. 16, GNA - The afforestation programme in the Kwaebibirem District have so far employed 120 youth.

The District Chief Executive, Mr George Agyemang Duah, said as the programme expands, more of the unemployed youth would be given jobs.

Addressing the District Assembly at Kade on Monday, he said the Government designed the afforestation programme to improve lost forests nationwide.

Mr Duah said Districts were therefore requested by Government through the Ministry of Lands and Forestry, to identify areas within their respective jurisdiction for re-planting.

He said the assembly in collaboration with the Kade Forestry Commission did identify three major areas in the district.

These were areas mined by the Ghana Consolidated Diamond at Akwatia, Adankrono area and Sakyikrom, all totaling about 119.75 hectares.

He indicated that clearing and planting of seedlings at the identified areas had started and progressing steadily.

Mr Duah explained that the afforestation programme did not only aim at reclaiming the lost forest but also to create employment for the unemployed youth in the country.