The Jimi River has remained a major source of water supply to the Akrofuom District, Obuasi Township and its adjoining communities over the years.
Currently, the River has been destroyed by illegal activities such as mining, felling of trees, bush burning through farming activities and others, thus exposing the river to direct sunshine.
The illegal activities surrounding the river has compelled the Akrofuom District Assembly, led by the Chief Executive, Maurice Jonas Woode, to collaborate with mining giant, AngloGold
Ashanti, to plant trees along the banks of the Jimi River to protect it from the illegal activities.
It formed part of activities to mark the Green Ghana exercise introduced in 2021 by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as part of an aggressive national afforestation/reforestation programme to restore the lost forest cover of Ghana and to contribute to the global effort to mitigate climate change.
Dr Maurice Jonas Woode explained that the Jimi Dam operated by AngloGold Ashanti as the main source of water to the Miners and the communities within the mining areas needs to be protected by growing more trees.
He said the exercise will also help in making sure that the water body do not dry up.
The DCE said the District is aiming at growing 30,000 seedlings this year with most of them distributed to the various electoral areas, schools and churches within the district.
The DCE mentioned that the Assembly in collaboration with the Forestry department has rolled out a mechanism to protect the seedlings that have been planted since the programme was introduced in 2021.
He stated that the seedlings that will be distributed this year will also be protected to serve their purpose.
Mr. Rexford Twum-Damoah, the Bekwai District Manager of the Forestry Commission, also disclosed that the department has taken stock of coconut, mango, orange and other seedlings and entreated residents of Akrofuom to come to their offices for them for planting.
He seized the opportunity to caution those who illegally cut down trees to desist from such acts since the forestry department is ready to clamp down on those who indulge in such acts.
