Kumasi, Oct.14, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is assisting some schools to plant 500 trees, shrubs and grass on their compounds as part of activities to mark this year's World Environmental Day Celebrations in the Region. Schools selected for the celebration which is under the theme, "Greener Communities, Healthy People", are, State Experimental school in Kumasi and Assenua Junior Secondary school (JSS) in the Kwabre district. The rest are, Dompoase Primary A and B, Buobai and Sokoban Primary schools in the Kumasi Metropolis.

Mrs Philomena Boakye-Appiah, Acting Ashanti Regional Director of EPA announced this at the Regional launching of the celebration in Kumasi on Thursday.

She said the exercise to make their compounds green was to instil a high appreciation of the environment in the children. Mrs Boakye-Appiah, enumerating the importance of trees and grass, said they protected and preserved water bodies, fertilize the soil, use as medicinal plants and in addition, assist the economy.

"If a green community makes people healthy, then it behoved on people to plant trees and nurture them. We are assisting you to plant so that discipline will be instilled in you in school and outside school," She added.

Mrs. Boakye-Appiah appealed to the school authorities to assist the children to form environmental clubs in the schools to share ideas on how to protect and preserve the environment. Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister said it was unfortunate that people subjected the environment to degradation due to ignorance.

He advised children to refrain from littering the environment, be responsible and cultivate the habit of environmental cleanliness. Mr Kwaku Amankwaa Frimpong, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator of the National Youth Council (NYC) expressed appreciation for the involvement of the youth in environmental programmes. He called for the promulgation of laws on littering to protect the environment.

Mr Samuel Nsiah, Headteacher of Primary Two of the State Experimental who led the children in the planting exercise, planted 200 shady trees on the school compound. He urged the EPA to support the schools with working tools.