A bye-law adopted by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) requires developers to set aside 25% of their property for soft landscaping, which includes the planting of trees, plants, and grass.
The façade of all developers' properties must be landscaped in accordance with the new bye-law.
During a tree-planting event last Wednesday as part of the government's Green Ghana Project, the Metropolitan Chief Executive for Tema, Yohane Amarh Ashitey, revealed this and said the bye-law had already been approved at the general assembly meeting of the assembly and was just waiting to be gazetted.
He clarified that the assembly's action was a part of efforts to make sure Tema's vegetation was developed and properly maintained.
Rewards programmes
Mr. Ashitey stated that the TMA aimed to offer some novelties to the effort by entrusting 200 seedlings to each assembly member to be planted and fostered within their respective electoral regions as part of the assembly's participation to the Green Ghana programme.
Each assembly member, he added, would be responsible for ensuring the trees' survival, and at the conclusion of each quarter, an evaluation would be conducted and results would be given on the proportion of trees that had been planted and survived.
Mr. Ashitey said that the winning electoral area will receive special prizes. The MCE also stated that seedlings of various species were easily available for collection at the assembly's horticulture department and asked people to stop by and pick up seedlings to plant inside and outside of their houses to contribute to Tema being a green city.
"The advantages of this vigorous afforestation initiative is something we should engage in," he added. "Our city, being an industrial centre, is particularly inclined to air pollution."
Support
Two tricycles equipped with water tanks have been provided to the TMA by the Kingdom Exim Group and Tema Lube Oil Company Ltd. for the purpose of watering and monitoring the seedlings planted as part of the Green Ghana Project.
Peter Mensah, Corporate Affairs Manager for the Kingdom Exim Group, stated during the handover ceremony that the donation was in line with the government's efforts to combat climate change and restore the nation's destroyed forests.
He declared that in order to create vibrant communities and safeguard future generations, his organisation would continue to support initiatives to promote environmental sustainability practises.