Asantehene Spearheads Reforestation In Mankran Forest Reserve
His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has brought life back to the Mankran Forest Reserve in the Offinso Forest District in the Ashanti Region as part of his passion to restore depleted vegetative cover to stem off the impact of climate change.
He is reported to have filled the 72 hectares-forest reserve which was depleted through activities of chain saw operators.
The Mankran Forest Reserve is one of the nine forest reserves of Offinso which was brought to its knees by illegal chain saw operators.
Asantehene took the responsibility to restore the reserve after intelligence about its sorry state.
The Director of the Forestry Commission Training Centre at Ejisu, Mr Andy Okrah disclosed this on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, during a courtesy call by the Forestry Commission in the region.
“As we all know, forestry and the environment are important to Otumfuo. He has played a significant role in afforestation. He launched this year’s Green Ghana Day. In the past two years since the observation of Green Ghana Day, the Ashanti Region has taken the lead in the number of trees planted and their survival. All this is facilitated by Otumfuo’s encouragement. Asantehene has planted 72 hectares of trees in the Mankran Forest Reserve in the Offinso Forest District. Galamsey has reduced due to him,” he said as he rendered an account on their stewardship.
Restoring Lost Cover
Asantehene’s passion towards the environment and it’s protection has been evident through a number of decisions.
The passion drove him to seek a collaboration with the King of the United Kingdom (UK), King Charles to reclaim lost covers in Ghana.
Launching the Green Ghana Day in May 2023, Otumfuo disclosed he had reached an agreement with King Charles to reclaim lands lost to illegal mining in the country.
He said King Charles had agreed to collaborate with him on the project.
During the seventh Awukudae of the Year, he disclosed some experts had been sent from the UK to ascertain the level of destruction. He said they had been monitoring some forest reserves with drones.
Forestry Commission Presentations
Mr Okrah also presented a copy of his book, “You Are a Leader” to the King.
Presenting it, he noted that Otumfuo is an ideal example of a leader featured in the book. According to him, it is his way of showing his gratitude to Otumfuo for sponsoring his MPhil in London in the United Kingdom.
He also presented a picture of historic three cubs born at the Kumasi Zoo to the Palace.
The delegation was made up of heads of the various Divisions of the Commission in the region including the Forest Service Division, Wild Life Division, Timber Industry Development Division, Resource Management Resource Centre and Forestry Commission Training Centre.
