The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Sumani Nayina has directed all district, Metropolitan and Municipal assemblies in the region to develop at least two acres of multi-purpose plantations within the next few years.

The move according to the Minister is to help halt the rate of land degradation in the region.

The Minister also charged the assemblies to integrate efforts to fight climate change and other environmental concerns into their medium-term development plans.

In his estimation, the initiatives will inculcate the culture of tree nurturing and environmental conservation from the community levels and consequently, save the region from the effects of climate change.

The directives were given at a durbar at Kumbungu to mark this year’s regional celebration of the World Environment Day, which was commemorated globally on June 5 each year.

The day was set aside by the United Nations in 1972, to stimulate worlwide awareness about the need to conserve  the environment by advocating more political commitment and civil society involvement in conservation issues.
The theme for this year’s celebration is "Your planet need you-Unite to combat climate change".

It was formulated in recognition of the effects of climate change of the livelihoods of human beings and thus, the need for all hands on deck to promote sound environmental practices to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Mr Nayina who is an advocator of the environment, observed that bthe rate of destruction and non replacement of the vegetation coveer in some areas in the region was alarming and that had exposed the region to floods, droughts and excessive heat.

He said those disasters had also affected crop cultivation and livestock production thereby, heightening food insecurity ,especially among the rural poor in northern Ghana.

The minister bemoaned the poor culture of tree planting among the people in the region, which he blamed on the complex land tenure system, traditional beliefs and the long gestation for trees.

"Theses affect the extent of tree cover since the rate of tree exploitation far exceedds the rate of planting,he emphasised.

Mr Nayinasaid it was regrettable to note that beween 1980 and 2008, average annual temperatures in the northern region increased significantly from a maximum range of 30-35C to 38-46C in the dry seasons.

"This certainly has negative consequences on human health, environment al resources and survival," he stated.

He therefore charged district chief Executives to collaborate with the EPA, the Forestry Services Division, traditional rullers and otheropinionleaders in their respective districts to champion the initiative by acquiring some acres of land in any part of the district reserved for conservation purposes.

He also charged public and private institutions championing the cause against global warming to sensitise Ghanaians on climate change and otherenvironmental issues in their communities.

"It is my hope that the environmental day celebrations will re-ignite the spirit of unity among our people and also instil the culture of sustained action towards amelioirating the impact of climate change and other negative environmentalpractices," he stated.

DS