The management of the Offinso Forest Services Division has, as part of activities marking this year’s Forestry Week celebration, organised a forum to educate pupils within its catchment area on the importance and benefits of tree planting. To enable pupils develop an early interest in community afforestation, the Forestry Commission has adopted the Offinso-Obuasi Roman Catholic Junior High School (JHS) as a model school in tree planting in the district. As a result, the Forestry Commission has assisted pupils and teachers of the school in clearing, pegging, and planting over 600 teak seedlings on a one and half acre land in front of the school.
Addressing the gathering before the planting exercise, the Manager of the Offinso Forest Services Division, Mr. Ernest Nkansah, explained the choice of Obuasi R/C JHS out of the many, in the level of commitment and knowledge its teachers have in forest-related issues.
Mr. Nkansah pointed out that the initiative will not only bring financial reward to the school, but also serve as windbreaks, as well as protecting the land from potential encroachers, and stressed the need for society to educate the next generation on the impact of deforestation.
Mr. Nkansah, therefore, entreated teachers and pupils of the school to nurture the trees to maturity. The Headmaster, Mr. Paul Yaw Anane, commended the management of the Offinso FSD for the initiative, and gave the assurance that the school would be committed to taking good care of the trees.
