The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has declared his commitment to plant and manage 2.5 million trees around Lake Bosomtwe.
The project, which will span five years, is in line with the Asantehene’s move to provide protection for water bodies in Asanteman.
A statement from the Manhyia Palace said Otumfuo Osei Tutu made this known during the celebration of Akwasidae at the Manhyia Palace last Sunday.
The landscape restoration intervention project will cover around 4,000 hectares.
Otumfuo expressed the hope that the project would ultimately help contribute to improve the ecosystem, service provision, climate change mitigation, and improved environmental consciousness among inhabitants of fringe communities around the Lake.
“The project is envisioned to contribute to Ghana’s environmental protection efforts, contribute to the fight against climate change, contribute to Ghana’s pledge to the Bonn Challenge as well as improve tourism around Lake Bosomtwe,” the Asantehene said.
In response to an appeal made by Otumfuo Osei Tutu for the protection of Ghana’s only natural lake, Lake Bosomtwe, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in 2016, designated the lake as a Biosphere Reserve Site to promote a healthy balance between biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use.
A tripartite agreement has been signed among UNESCO, the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, and the Asantehene, who is the custodian of the lake.
