World Photography Day commemorated
The Ghana Photojournalists Network (GPN), in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), has organised a tree planting exercise to mark the World Photography Day yesterday.
The programme, on the theme: "Restoring Ghana's Vegetative Cover: The Contribution of the Photojournalist" is in line with the Greening Ghana initiative launched by President Akufo-Addo on June 11, this year to plant trees to protect the environment.
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The event took place at Korle Bu, Accra behind the Ghana National Fire Service Training Academy where 50 trees were planted.
In attendance were officials from the AMA and the Forestry Commission as well as representatives from other state institutions and civil society organisations.
Representatives of the network from other regions were also in attendance.
Context
August 19 every year is set aside as World Photography Day to celebrate the impact of photography in addressing, among others, critical issues that affect the cultural, social and political life of people as well as the contribution of photographers in helping shape the world.
It was first instituted to recognise the contribution of a French artist, Louis Daguerre, who perfected the Daguerreotype (a photograph made on silver covered copper sheets) on August 19, 1839.
The day is also dedicated to the art, craft, science and history of photography and is also used to create awareness of important issues that affect the world.
The country's forest cover is depleting at a fast rate due to the indiscriminate cutting of trees for charcoal, logging, illegal mining, among others, and the President's initiative seeks to reverse the trend.
The GPN is a registered press photography organisation with over 100 photojournalists and videographers as members working in the Ghanaian media.
The Photo Editor of Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL), Mr Douglas Anane-Frimpong, and a Senior Photographer with the Daily Graphic, Mr Samuel Tei Adano, jointly planted trees they named “Graphic”.
Urbanisation
The Chief Executive of AMA, Mr Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, recalled that Accra used to be the greenest city in Africa but said urbanisation had led to the felling of trees, which had come with its associated warming of the environment and other negative impacts.
"The effect can be seen in the less rainfall patterns, flooding and famine being experienced lately," he said.
According to him, the greening project was expected to help correct the trend, improve oxygen supply and beautify the country.
The Manager for Plantation of the Forestry Commission, Mr Kwame Agyei, said the greening project was very successful as about seven million seedlings were distributed, exceeding the target by 40 per cent.
He commended GPN for choosing the tree planting exercise to mark the event and called on other organisations to emulate their example.
The President of GPN, Mr David Andoh, said members of the network were committed to creating awareness of the need to protect the environment.
He appealed to organisations to support the GPNeT to undertake such projects that would help improve the lives of the people.
Mr Andoh said photojournalists would “expose offenders who have no consideration for the negative effects of their activities on the nation tomorrow.”