The two operating mines of Gold Fields Ghana limited, Tarkwa and Damang Gold mines, observed this year’s celebration of the World Environment Day by planting trees at the mine sites and in surrounding communities.The events to mark the celebration which was under the global theme “Green Economy: Does it include you?” brought together employees, key community stakeholders, district and municipal officers as well as school children to undertake various activities.The World Environment Day is observed globally and was instituted about 40 years ago by the United Nations to promote healthy environmental practices. In line with Gold Fields Ghana’s commitment to the environment, the World Environmental Day has become one of the key activities on the company’s annual calendar.At Tarkwa, the Environmental Manager of the mine Ben Addo emphasized that a green economy is one that entails resource efficiency and social inclusiveness: our licence to operate and mine. This falls directly in line with the management’s commitment to carbon efficiency and continuous tree planting.The Tarkwa/Nsuaem Municipal Director of Education, Madam Catherine Davis also stated that improvement in areas such as agriculture, timber, transportation, mining, petroleum production, water, energy supply, and waste management amongst others, would promote a green economy. She added that a change in mindset, behaviour and lifestyle would also progress this agenda.Participants proceeded to plant trees in the communities and inspect seedlings planted in previous years.At Damang, the story was similar. School children and employees at the Damang mine planted trees in the community. At a short ceremony to kick off activities for the day, the Acting General Manager of the Damang mine, Mr. Augustine Asubonteng, explained that tree planting continues to be a core activity in the celebration of World Environment Day because it is a core activity in propelling a green economy.The President of the Damang Environmental club and the Assemblyman of the Damang electoral area, on behalf of the community expressed gratitude to the company for partnering with them to celebrate the occasion. A clean up exercise was also carried out at the Damang market and the community centre.In collaboration with the District Education Directorate, a quiz competition on the environment was organised for schools in the community with Damang D/A JHS emerging as winners. The Environmental Manager at the mine, Francis Nyame, urged the pupils to observe the environmental practices learned.At the end of the day, the communities expressed their continuous commitment in collaborating with the Water and Sanitation (WASTAN) committees set up and trained in the communities by Gold Fields Ghana to ensure that their environment is kept clean.