Audio By Carbonatix
"I want to give people inspiration to protect the environment; plant trees, and make it a pleasure to maintain them."
Those are the words of Catholic priest at Damongo Archdiocese in the Savannah region, Father Dr. Clement Aapengnuo, who seeks to supply finest noni fruit trees to Ghanaians.
Noni tree - native to Southeast Asia and Australasia, is a source of phytonutrients, known to boost the immune system as well as repair cellular damage.
They have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial compounds.
Fr. Aapengnuo says the tree is a potential income generator that can give cultivators in rural areas, at least, 300 cedis in a month.
"If you have three of the trees and every month you fill ten bottles at 10 cedis that's 300 cedis. That is basic salary for some people," he says.
In just a few years of planting the tree, he says it is only appropriate to share what is good with Ghanaians.
The Noni tree, known scientifically as Morinda citrifolia grows in shady forests, as well as on open rocky or sandy shores of rivers.
It matures in about 18 months, and begins to bear between 4 and 8 kg of fruits every month.
"The amazing thing about this tree, it fruits all year round even in the dry season. So pluck and pluck the fruits."
The oval-shaped of 10-18 centimeters in size, is also known as cheese fruit or even vomit fruit, due to its pungent smell when ripening.
"Just on the same branch, you would have some flowering while others are fruiting. So there is a constant supply."
The tree is tolerant of saline soils, drought conditions, and secondary soils.
It can grow up to 9m tall, with large, simple, dark green, shiny and deeply veined leaves.
Besides its ability to beautify the environment and provide oxygen, a variety of products from the fruit can be found on the consumer market.
"Now we have got an outlet. When you do you package it nicely and put it in a small bottle."
They come in the form of beverage, powder and other cosmetics as well as oil.
But in Damongo people know it in bevergare.
"I was surprised to see that a lot of people in Damongo know the noni and buy it" adding that, it has economic values.
Morinda citrifolia is attractive to weaver ants, which make nests from its leaves.
These ants protect the plant from some parasitic insects.
The smell of the fruit attracts fruit bats, which aid in seed dispersal.
A type of fly, Drosophila sechellia, feeds exclusively on the fruits.
Fr Aapengnuo says his work as a catholic priest puts him in a better position to protect the environment and change lives.
He wants to grow more seedlings and distribute to interested Ghanaians to also rape the benefit.
Beyond that, the sustainable environmental activist wants to see a world of great opportunity in safety for all.
Latest Stories
-
Rent Control orders hostel owners to suspend proposed 2026/2027 fee increments
11 minutes -
Southampton expelled from Championship play-offs for spying
12 minutes -
Dr. Apaak cuts sod for construction of 24-Hour Economy Market in Fumbisi
30 minutes -
Disadvantages will not stop Builsa South development – Dr Apaak
32 minutes -
Tecco Mensah writes: Misinformation is an existential threat
34 minutes -
GRIDCo, ECG announce maintenance across 4 regions on Wednesday, May 20
39 minutes -
Dr. Ike Tandoh develops 2 Afrocentric frameworks for personal branding in his new book ‘Brand Yourself’
47 minutes -
Police arrest suspect over violent attack at illegal mining site in Sefwi Asawinso
47 minutes -
Supreme Court dismisses application to halt trial of former NSA deputy director
51 minutes -
Blackouts put the lives of Nkawie SHTS students and staff at risk – Headmistress
1 hour -
People suffering from mental health issues are not cursed – Regional Health Director
1 hour -
We have no agenda to unseat Lawyer Kwabena Boateng – Ejisu NPP Chairman
1 hour -
Health authorities warn public against increasing hypertension-related deaths in the Ashanti Region
2 hours -
5th West Africa Pharma and Healthcare Expo 2026 slated for June 8
2 hours -
UK banking expert says banks are too profitable; proposes ‘bank tax’, others
2 hours