Regional News of Friday, 25 November 2005

Source: GNA

Measures to protect Owabi catchment area

Dabaa (Ash), Nov.25, GNA - The Atwima-Nwabiagya District Assembly will from next year supply Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in Ashanti region 100,000 tree seedlings to be planted around the catchment areas of the Barekese and Owabi water dams, the main sources of potable water supply to the Kumasi metropolis and peripheral districts. This is to ensure that the two dams sited in the district hold the right volume of water to ensure an uninterrupted water supply to the metropolis.

Mr Thomas Ofori-Donkor, the District Chief Executive, announced this on Thursday at a special tree-planting exercise initiated by the assembly at Dabaa.

Students from Yaa Asantewaa Girls Secondary; Kumasi Wesley Girls Secondary, Technology Secondary and Osei Tutu Secondary school planted about 5,000 tree seedlings supplied by the Forestry Commission. Mr Ofori-Donkor said last year, the assembly supported the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to raise 400,000 seedlings, which were distributed to schools and institutions in the district. The move, he said formed part of measures to prevent soil erosion, protect the environment and ensure the flow of rivers and streams all year round.

The DCE regretted that though Ghana's population continued to increase, little was being done to protect the environment especially the forest zones. 25 Nov.05