The Volta Regional General Manager of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Emmanuel Lumor, has vowed to plant 6000 trees in its eleven operational districts in the Volta and Oti Regions.

According to him, this acts as part of effort from his outfit to support government’s initiative to plant 5 million trees across the country.

The initiative is being implemented through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

Mr. Lumor made this revelations at the ECG Volta Regional Office in Ho to launch the exercise for the company.

Additionally, he praised government’s initiative, further espousing ECG’s commitment to the tree planting exercise. He further noted that the organization takes keen interest in safeguarding the environment.

“Trees are very important to human beings’ livelihoods as they help produce oxygen for human respiration, reduce the impact of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases, provide shade, beautify our surroundings, and provide medicinal remedies for ailments”.
Emmanuel Lumor, Volta Regional General Manager, ECG

ECG commits to safeguarding of trees

Touching further on the exercise, Mr. Lumor assured that his outfit’s activities would not impede this exercise. He further pledged to replace trees which are lost as a result of their operations.

“If any tree is lost in both Volta and Oti Regions as a result of our activities, the company will plant four trees in place of any tree lost to ECG related activities”.

Furthermore, Mr. Lumor endeared customers to refrain from planting trees directly under the overhead cables of the distribution company.

“The tree is a conductor of electricity so, in the event of lightning, it could endanger lives and also cause outages since the protection on the ECG network will go off once the tree touches the network to save lives”.

Extending the caution to the public, Mr Lumor entreated the general public to avert taking shelter under trees in close proximity to ECG overhead distribution lines during rainfalls. This, he explained is to prevent any unfortunate situation from occurring.

“Seeking shelter under trees closer to our network during heavy rainfall can lead to the loss of lives in the event of the tree falling on the cable or causing the cable to fall on the ground.

“This can lead to electrocution since the cable will be closer to the person seeking shelter under the tree”.

Former Ambassador to China plants tree

Meanwhile, the Former Ambassador of Ghana to China, Edward Boateng, has planted a seedling as part of the Green Ghana Day initiative.

He planted his seedling at his father’s house in Asokore in memory of him.

“That is one of the things I remember. Growing up, at a point in our house we use to have all manner of animals because I loved them,” he passionately reminisced about the past.

“I decided to come and plant my tree in my father’s hometown. My father was arguably one of the first foresters in Ghana.

He commended President Akufo-Addo and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for the initiative.

“All over the world you see that most cities are green, unfortunately we don’t have that here. And also with the issue of climate change, that we’re currently experiencing, it is becoming more difficult.”
Edward Boateng, Former Ambassador of Ghana to China