ASA Savings and Loans Limited, in its quest to plant 2,500 trees this year and ensure it is nurtured, has partnered the Christ the King SHS in Cape Coast to plant 200 tree seedlings on the confines of the school.
Amongst the seedlings planted, include coconut, guava, citrus, milletia, and cassia.
This, is also in line with the company’s “one student, one tree initiative”, to help imbibe in students the need to help with the protection of vegetative cover and reduction of deforestation.
Climate Change
Addressing the media during the exercise, the CSR and Sustainability Manager of ASA, Richard Nartey said the company, is committing resources towards the attainment of a low carbon economy. This year, he said the target is to plant at least 2500 seedlings, with emphasis placed on the nurturing of the seedlings.
He stressed the need for all, particularly the younger generation to participate in any activity that will enhance a clean environment. “We have to take up initiatives to plant and nurture trees, gradually move away from the use of fossil fuels, and take action against human activities that degrade the environment”, he disclosed.
Mr. Nartey also added that, climate change has led to drastic changes in weather patterns, rising sea levels, and biodiversity destruction. “As a result of our neglect of protecting the environment, most places are now experiencing rising temperatures, floods, and most importantly shortage of water for both industrial and domestic use.
He therefore entreated everybody to make it a number one priority to protect the environment.
The Headmaster of the School, Mr. Robert Steven Reynolds gave the assurance that his staff and students are going to dedicate their time and effort to ensure the planted trees survive.
“In fact, I am so elated with this exercise because, I have heard about Green Ghana but this is my first time of participating in it”. Our premise is battling with severe erosion, and with your support today, we believe it will help reduce the impact.
A participating student, Celine Charkoh, outlined the importance these trees will serve, such as providing oxygen, shade, fruits, and habitat for some animals. “We thank ASA Savings and loans for coming to support the school with these seedlings that will benefit us and future generations “, she added.
In addition, the Mampong Business Centre of the company in partnership with Amaniampong Senior High School at Mampong in the Ashanti Region has planted tree seedlings such as avocado, orange, mango, teak, guava, tangerine, lemon, coconut among others.
According to Mr. Graham Kyei Kwakye, the Branch Manager of the company, “the tree planting is in line with the promotion of green Ghana Agenda”.
“Its benefits entails serving as food for the students whilst providing shade for the environment as well as help in reducing soil erosion”, he explained.
Ms. Adwoa Asantewaa, Area Manager of ASA Savings and Loans appreciated the school ‘s effort and participation and further urged the school authorities to ensure the seedlings are nurtured for our purpose to be realised.
Mrs. Esther Osei-Wusu, the Headmistress of Amaniampong SHS was excited about the exercise; “we are going to water them to ensure that the trees grow well”.
“We are appealing to other benevolent institutions to support the school in the completion of their teacher’s bungalow and their sick bay which would provide health care for the students,” she reiterated.
In a related development, ASA Savings and Loans, Bantama branch undertook the tree-planting exercise at Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School in Ashanti Region.
200 seedlings planted were coconut, mangoes, and oranges.
An Assistant Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Felicia Danquah was grateful to ASA Savings and Loans for the collaboration.
“This, is not only going to beautify the school but will also serve as source of internal generated fund in the near future because of the fruit seedlings”, she said.
The Manager, Eric Abban, at the Bantama branch, said the exercise shows the company’s commitment towards environmental sustainability and will continue to champion this course and encouraged them to nurture the trees to achieve the intended purpose.
Nkoranza
200 trees were also planted in collaboration with Nkoranza Technical Institute in the Bono-East Region.
The trees planted at the school premises included orange, tangerine, coconut, guava, oframo and tree of life
The Head of Agric Department at the School, Mr. Nseremene Kwame thanked ASA Savings and Loans for their support.
He added that the school has about 20 acres of land available for tree planting and pleaded with ASA Savings and the public to support them with more seedlings.
Mr. Patrick Sampong Bamfo, Branch Manager for Nkoranza Business Centre for ASA Savings and Loans appealed to management of the school to take good care of the trees planted by watering them frequently.
Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Abosi, the Area Manager for Techiman said, “This is part of the company’s environmental sustainability initiative towards the Greening Ghana project.
The Agona Business Centre of ASA Savings and Loans has also planted tree species at Baidoo Bonsoe SHS at Agona Nkwanta in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region.
Royal palm tree, umbrella tree, coconut (hybrid), coconut (dwarf), sweet orange, tangerine and guava were the type of seedlings planted.
The tree planting, is to improve improve air quality, absorb carbon emissions as well as reduce soil erosion and prevent water pollution among others.
Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Joana Aryeetey expressed appreciation to the company for choosing the school in the tree planting exercise.
Area Manager of ASA Savings and Loans Limited, Francis Gyabeng said the tree planting also forms part of the company’s environment sustainability initiative for the year.
Branch Manager of the company, Razak Aremu urged the school to nurture the trees.
Bekwai
The Bekwai Business Centre in partnership with Bekwai SDA Senior High School also joined in the tree planting exercise.
Avocado pear, orange. mango, teak, guava, tangerine, lemon, coconut among others seedlings were planted. The tree planting, according to the company, is in line with the promotion of green agenda. It serves as food for the students and provide shade for the environment.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr. Boateng Peter was excited about the exercise and called on other stakeholders to emulate the example of ASA.
Mr. Sekyi Odame Samuel, Area Manager for Bekwai and Mr. Boakye Francis the Branch Manager for Bekwai Business Centre of the company appreciated the school’s effort in their participation and further urged the school authorities to ensure the seedlings are cultivated to achieve its purpose.
Ningo
ASA Savings and Loans in collaboration with Ningo Secondary Technical School also planted tree seedlings such as mango, citrus, coconut (dwarf) ,coconut (hybrid), orange, royal palm, cassia among others..
The tree planting, according to Area manager – Mr Justice Korsah, is to combat climate change, provide good oxygen, serve as shade for relaxation as well as absorb carbon dioxide.
In addition, he said this is part of the company’s Environmental Sustainability Initiative (ESI) and that is going to be annual exercise. He advised the school to take good care of plants so that the next time they come around, there will be better result.
A staff of the school from the Agric Department, Mr. Alfred Mba, said the school is very happy about the exercise since the school’s main concern is to plant more trees to cover up the vast spacious land of the school. This also is to prevent people from encroaching the school land and would help the students to have a very cool and conducive environment to study.
Miss. Nathashia A.Nelson, Branch Manager of the company also called on the school to develop the trees.
Finally, the Berekum Business Centre of ASA Savings and Loans in partnership with Berekum Senior High School ended the tree planting exercise by planting seedlings such as orange, mango, coconut among others.
According to Isaac Agyapong, the Area Manager of the company: “the tree planting is in line with the promotion of Ghana’s green agenda. Its beneficial entails serving as food for the students whilst providing shade for the environment.
Mr. Emmanuel Ntim, Branch Manager really appreciated the school’s effort in their participation and further urged the school authorities to ensure the seedlings are put well.
Mr. Kwaku Danso, Headmaster of the school was excited about the exercise, as it will prevent soil erosion, provide shade and good for climate change.
He appealed to other organisations to come to the aid of the school by supporting them with infrastructure and other amenities.
