The Environmental Concerned Citizens Association of Ghana (ECCAG) has embarked on a nationwide tree planting exercise as a way of protecting the environment and to also reduce global warming. The association in this regard has distributed plant seedlings to be planted in communities, schools, churches, along roadsides and water bodies, while ensuring wildlife conservation and promoting sanitation in the Western Region. A statement issued by the Association Secretariat said the programme, which was held in areas including the Shama Ahanta area, Mpohor Wassa West-Daboase and Ahanta West-Agona Nkwanta as well as Tarkwa Nsuam Municipality were in support of the clean and green Ghana education campaign. Mr. Joseph Yaw Aidoo, National President of the association, at a durbar of Chiefs, Queen mothers, Elders and Heads of Departments at Dompem community in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality, said the Association has toured areas including the Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Central regions, providing monitoring services as well as education on environmental sanitation including tree planting. He highlighted the benefits of trees to human existence and said it was important to preserve a green environment to ensure the preservation of water bodies as well as wildlife and secure oxygen production by plants. He said the Forestry Services Division of the Ministry of Lands and Forestry provided the nursed seedlings and appealed to the various Municipal and District Assemblies to provide fruit trees such as mangoes and citrus seedlings to be planted to further promote the Greening Ghana Initiative Programme. Mr. Eric Ofori Badu, Municipal Forestry Manager, asked chiefs to involve themselves in the tree planting exercise, adding that, the Forestry Services Division has enough seedlings to be distributed during every raining season. Source: GNA