The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has earmarked an amount of GH�40,000 in support of an Urban Forestry Project, launched to restore Kumasi to its former glory as the �Garden City of West Africa.�
Mr Kojo Bonsu, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), said it has targeted to plant about a million trees within the next four years.
These would be along the drive ways, ceremonial roads, in open spaces and on school compounds.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, he said the assembly was collaborating with the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) and the Ghana Education Service (GES), to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
The project was also receiving support from two international organizations in Germany, GIZ and VNF.
Mr Bonsu mentioned that among tree species identified for the project are �weeping willow�, �cassia�, �montalis� and �akyee� which could withstand dry weather conditions and have green foliage.
He said the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has offered to provide some nursed seedlings.
School children are being encouraged to actively take part in the exercise through what has been dubbed �Me and my tree� competition, and there would be prize awards in the form of computers and supply of educational materials.
The project was already underway at the Asokwa Interchange-Anloga Junction Road, where about 171 trees have been planted.
Mr Bonsu appealed to landlords who wanted to plant trees in front of their properties, to get in touch with either, the KMA, FORIG, the KNUST, or the Parks and Gardens.
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