By Seth Danquah, GNA
Takoradi, June 18, GNA-The Management and staff of the Western Regional office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have embarked on tree planting exercises on its regional premises and some selected Senior High Schools (SHS) in and around the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STMA).
The exercise formed part of the Company’s global effort to help conserve some threatened plant species such as Terminalia ivorensis and guaiacum officinale, known widely for their healing properties and widely used in the treatment of rheumatism, ulcers, kidney problems, and wounds, and for the treatment of arthritis, syphilis, and cough respectively.
The staff of the Company in the Region were joined by two management members from its Head Office in Accra to plant a total of 1,000 seedlings of the identified species in selected schools such as the St. Mary’s Boys Senior High School in Apowa and the Archbishop Porter Girls Senior High School in Fijai, near Takoradi.
Mr Emmanuel Justice Ofori, Acting Western Regional Manager of ECG who spoke to the Ghana News Agency explained that the Company’s decision in choosing the Senior High Schools for the exercise was to find a place of refuge for the threatened species.
“Most schools have policies aimed at protecting wild trees even in times of new infrastructural development. One cannot find a better place to hide them than in such places”, he indicated.
He added that apart from beautifying the environment, trees also helped in reducing stress on persons who spend time among them, and also improved the quality of air people breathe by filtering harmful substances such as carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide.
“Our health depends mostly on these trees, and we need to do our best to ensure they survived acts of deforestation”, he pointed out.
Mr Ben Quacoe, Western Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the ECG also noted how their activities sometimes affected wild birds hence, the ECG’s efforts to ensure they were also protected from danger.
“Wild birds which mistake our high rise poles and pylons for trees sometimes get electrocuted when they seek to prepare their nests on parts of these metal works. More trees will mean more homes for such wildlife who may keep away from our energized lines and their supporting infrastructure”, he said.
Mr Quacoe maintained that it was their collective desire to protect wildlife and enhance the country’s natural environment at all times.
The exercise, which also formed part of the Government of Ghana’s efforts to raise awareness on conservation and development of wildlife, preceded this year’s World Environment Day which fell on Friday, 11th June 2021.
