Planting, which started about two months ago, would be extended to the other metros as the exercise progressed.

The project, which is the brainchild of the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, and adopted by the general assembly of the KMA, is meant to restore the metropolis to its former greenery.

Already, the mayor has made an appeal to corporate institutions and individuals to support the KMA in various ways to ensure that the project was successful.

He also wanted residents to own the project by not only participating in the planting but also to nurture the seedlings to maturity.

The first two planting exercises were held at Nhyiaeso and Asokwa sub-metros, which were heavily patronised.

Manhyia sub-metro

The third exercise at the Manhyia sub-metro was a continuation of the grand agenda by the city authorities to revamp the ecology of Kumasi.

The four-hour programme, organised under the auspices of the KMA Environmental sub-committee, was designed to plant 1, 300 tree seedlings of varied species.

The planting materials were supplied by the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); and the participants comprised selected volunteers and youth groups.

Seedlings planted included ‘terminaliamontalis’, ‘bligliasapida’, ‘polythialongitolia’, ‘militia thonningi’ and royal palm.

The Convener of the Environmental sub-committee of the KMA, Nana Yaw Wiredu, said the assembly was determined to improve biodiversity in the metropolis.

In line with that, he said measures had been put in place to plant the needed trees in the metropolis to achieve these objectives.

Population

According to the 2010 Population and Housing Census, Kumasi, one of the oldest cities in the West African sub-region, had seen an increase in its population with more than four million people residing in the city.

Development had come with its associated socio-economic challenges, but more importantly, with serious repercussions on the environment.

Most of the fauna and flora, which adorned the metropolis, making it to be touted as the “Garden City of West Africa”, had been destroyed to make way for development projects.

Engagement

Nana Wiredu said the KMA would increase its engagement with residents on regular basis to sensitise them to the benefits of tree-planting.

Three years ago, the KMA started a similar exercise under the Urban Forestry Project, and planted seedlings at Asokwa, Santasi, Sofo-Line-Tanoso road, and other areas.
The Environmental sub-Committee Convener recommended stiffer punishment for those who would flout  environmental-sanitation bye-laws.

 The Manhyia sub-metro Chairman, Nana Kwame Obeng, described the exercise as a success and appealed to residents of the area to stop the haphazard dumping of refuse.
“Those who disregard our bye-laws on sanitation will be dealt with according to the law,” he stated.