The Beyond the Return Secretariat , a Diasporan initiative by the government of Ghana, aimed at promoting tourism and home coming of Africans and Ghanaians from the Diaspora so as to help foster economic relations and investment in Africa as a whole and Ghana in particular in conjunction with the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Asebu Traditional Council have as part of the celebration of the Green Ghana Project, has planted over 500 trees at the Pan African Village at Asebu in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese Traditional Area in the Central Region. The Pan African Village is a settlement meant for the diasporans who want to return to their root , settle and contribute to the development of Africa as a whole and Ghana at large.
Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Charles Kwaku Buabin, in his welcome address disclosed that the event was spearheaded by Beyond the Return Secretariat. He noted that over five hundred trees would be planted as part of the day’s activity. He used the occasion to thank traditional rulers present to made the program a success.
A director at the Beyond the Return Secretariat, Annabelle Mackenzie, in her address noted that the tree planting exercise is not just aimed at beautifying the Pan African Village but also aimed at bringing to fruition the government’s tree planting project. She disclosed that the event forms part of the Beyond Return’s corporate social responsibilities to the country.
The Dabeahen of the Asebu Traditional Council, Nana Oweredu, on behalf of the president of the Asebu Traditional Council, Professor Okatakyi Amenfi, lauded both the government and the Office of Beyond Returns for the choice of the Pan African Village as an abode for the Green Ghana Project celebration in the Central Region. Nana Oweredu however, expressed regret about activities of illegal miners and few selfish individuals that end up destroying tress that have been planted. He used the event to plead with the government and the Forestry Commission for appropriate punishments to those arrested for destroying vegetation in the country.
The Chief of Moree Alata, Nana Amenyi IV, While planting some of the trees added his voice to praises rained on organizers for such an event; saying it will go a long way to reduce harzardous effects of the global warming menace and erosion on the site earmarked for the Pan African Village.
The representative of the Ghana Forestry Commission, Mary Mensah, identified tick trees, coconut, royal palm, militia and umbrella plant as some species of seedlings that would be planted at the Pan African Village. She implored all to cultivate the habit of replanting trees so as to safe lives.
The president, of the Pan African Village, Nana Gye Nyame and the convener of Diaspora Collation, Rabbi Kohain Nathanya Halevi, while reacting to the day’s event noted that trees signify the fertility of the Earth goddess that the Akans call Asaase Efua. Hence the need for all to protect the land by promoting the afforestation exercise.
Some of the diasporans who have resettled in the Pan African Village expressed delight at the tree planting exercise and promised to take proper care of the planted trees.
By James Kweku Baako.
From Pan African Village,Asebu.
