The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has promised to plant 6000 trees in its eleven operational districts in the Volta and Oti Regions. 

This forms part of the power distribution company’s support to the government’s initiative to plant 5 million trees across the country. The initiative is being implemented through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. 

The Volta Regional General Manager of ECG, Emmanuel Lumor, planted a tree at the ECG Volta Regional Office in Ho to launch the exercise for the company. 

He lauded the government’s initiative and indicated that ECG is a socially responsible organization that takes a keen interest in safeguarding the environment. 

“Trees are very important to human beings' livelihoods as they help produce oxygen for human respiration, reduce the impact of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases, provide shade, beautify our surroundings, and provide medicinal remedies for ailments," he said.

He assured that his outfit’s activities would not impede this exercise, and even if it does, the trees would be replaced. 

“If any tree is lost in both Volta and Oti Regions as a result of our activities, the company will plant four trees in place of any tree lost to ECG related activities”, he added.

Mr Lumor cautioned customers to desist from planting trees directly under the overhead cables of the distribution company. 

He added that “the tree is a conductor of electricity so, in the event of lightning, it could endanger lives and also cause outages since the protection on the ECG network will go off once the tree touches the network to save lives”.

Mr Lumor, however, advised the general public not to take shelter under trees close to ECG overhead distribution lines during rainfalls, to avoid the unfortunate from happening.

“Seeking shelter under trees closer to our network during heavy rainfall can lead to the loss of lives in the event of the tree falling on the cable or causing the cable to fall on the ground.

"This can lead to electrocution since the cable will be closer to the person seeking shelter under the tree”, he explained.