Newmont Golden Ridge Limited has since 2005 supported the planting of more than 24,000 trees in the Akyem Project, and continues to facilitate tree planting to demonstrate leadership in social and environmental responsibility.
To mark another milestone, Newmont in partnership with Conservation Alliance, an environmental organisation that seeks to build capacities to conserve biodiversity, has planted 1,200 trees of various medicinal species at its resettlement community to help improve the quality of life of the local people.
The initiative is in alignment with Newmont's commitment to demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Mr Paul Dawson, Environment Manager of Newmont, speaking at a ceremony at New Abirem on Friday to climax the tree planting exercise, stated that development would see the resettlement community transformed into a state of the art community where there would be easy access to plants for medicine, food and shade after a hard day's work.
"The trees are for the residents of this area; you actually own it and it is your responsibility to nurture them and ensure their growth and flourishing," he said.
Mr Kwami Omani Opoku, Eastern Regional Principal Programme Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency, commended Newmont for the initiative.
He said the tree planting is a great initiative that must be supported by the communities.
Mr Opoku advised the communities to embrace the programme to serve the purpose for which it was designed.
Nana Dansowaa Abiam, the queen of Yayaaso-based group at the resettlement community, and Nana Adakwah Ayiadum, Regent, expressed their happiness about the initiative and pledged their commitment to do all they could to ensure that the trees are taken care of to achieve the purpose for which they were planted.
Mr Oduro-Kwarteng Marfo, Manager, External Relations, Newmont Golden Ridge Limited, Akyem Project told the Ghana News Agency that tree planting had become significant for Newmont since trees are vital to the existence and well-being of the environment.
He said Newmont recognise the importance of tree planting as both a practical means to conserve the environment and as its contribution towards the global campaign against forest depletion.