In all, about one thousand royal palm tree seedlings were planted.

The programme, participated by civil society groups, environmentalists, assembly-members and Heads of Departments, as well as environmental youth ambassadors, was to promote good environmental sanitation practices amongst the people.

Mr James Nana Prempeh, Convener for the Environmental sub-Committee, said the metropolis could reduce to the barest minimum the incidence of cholera, malaria and other recurring diseases borne out of filth.

“We have our own destiny in our hands when it comes to environmental sanitation issues”, he said and re-affirmed the Assembly’s determination to deal ruthlessly with those who breached its bye-laws on sanitation.

The Assembly, he said, has commenced the planting of about 10, 000 coconut tree seedlings along the banks of water bodies in the metropolis in order to sustain the environment.

Mr Osei Assibey-Antwi, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), addressing traders at the Central Market, in a speech delivered on his behalf, said they were on course to restore Kumasi to its former status as the ‘Garden City of West Africa’.

For this reason, the Assembly had taken the necessary steps to decorate the city with the requisite fauna and flora, while stepping up educational programmes on environmental sanitation.

The MCE said the Assembly’s flagship project “Keeping Kumasi Clean and Green” has gathered momentum, adding that the high patronage from civil society organizations was encouraging.

The World Environment Day, marked on June 5 every year, aims to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment.