The Deputy Eastern Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Francis Brobbey, has expressed concern over the growing practice of cutting down fresh trees for use as firewood, describing the trend as dangerous to both the environment and human survival.

He cautioned individuals engaged in the practice to desist immediately in order to protect the country’s forests and biodiversity.

Brobbey made the remarks at Asesewa in the Upper Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region during this year’s Tree for Life Ghana Day planting exercise.

The exercise, held under the theme “Forests and Economy”, seeks to restore degraded lands and forest reserves while promoting environmental sustainability.

According to Mr. Brobbey, stakeholders must work together to halt activities that threaten the nation’s forest resources.

“If we do not stop wildfires, illegal mining, illegal felling of trees, galamsey, and all activities that have the potential to destroy our forests, then we have achieved nothing,” he stated.

He further noted that the large turnout for the tree-planting exercise should be matched with a commitment to nurture the seedlings to ensure their survival and growth.

Speaking after planting a tree, the Municipal Chief Executive for Upper Manya Krobo, Emmanuel Kwasi Larweh, announced that the Assembly has introduced an award scheme to motivate students to care for the seedlings they plant.

“There will be an award scheme to monitor the growth of the seedlings into trees, and the best-performing student and school will be rewarded,” he said.

The Municipal Director of Education, Evelyn Tawiah, also encouraged pupils who participated in the exercise to take responsibility for the seedlings by watering and nurturing them regularly.

The Eastern Region is expected to plant 1.2 million trees during the month-long exercise, contributing to the national target of 30 million trees under the Tree for Life Ghana initiative.

John Attafuah reporting