The Melcom Group of Companies on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, embarked on a tree planting exercise in some parts of the Accra Business District to support the ‘Greening Ghana’ initiative being carried out by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
The Company, led by some management staff and with assistance from officials of AMA, planted trees along the Business District in Accra to support the project which also seeks to address environmental challenges.
The AMA launched the “Sustainable Greening and Beautification of Accra Project” in 2018 to beautify the Accra metropolis by building partnership with communities’, institutions, schools and homes.
It was to improve the aesthetics of the city, enhance mobility and to enhance the opportunity for increased social interaction.
The project, which seeks to transform the Independence Avenue through the Ridge enclave to the Ako Adjei Interchange and the environs of the Accra Sports Stadium, among others, will see to the greening of all open spaces under the first phase of implementation.
During the exercise, Communications Director of Melcom, Godwin Avenorgbo, indicated that the colour green in the Ghana Flag represents the potential of this country to maximize its greenery for sustainable living, but sadly, what we see is the destruction of vegetation in the name of development.
Green, he noted, is a gift from God for a healthy environment, improved agriculture for high yields in food and cash crop. “However, we have replaced our green environment with hard concrete to the extent that one has to search to find a tree in Accra city centre.” He said.
“This is why Melcom wants to support the ongoing initiatives to make Accra green again” he stressed.
He explained that, his outfit’s quest to support the Greening Ghana forms part of the anniversary activities to celebrate Melcom’s 30 successful years of business operations in Ghana.
Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Accra, Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, thanked Melcom for the support towards the Greening Ghana initiative.
He
stated that although urbanization has increased population and people are
looking for space to develop, that should no way warrant felling off trees.
The urban population, he projected, will increase enormously by 2030 and there
was the need to take urgent steps as a nation to avert environmental
challenges, hence the greening project.
He was optimistic that the project will be successful, given that private companies such as Melcom and others have lend support.
The MCE seized the opportunity to warn traders who trade on lawns to desist from that or face the necessary sanctions.
BY Melvin Tarlue