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The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has set aside an amount of GH�40,000 in support of an Urban Forestry Project. This is to restore Kumasi to its former glory as the �Garden City of West Africa.� Mr Kojo Bonsu, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the metropolis aims to plant about a million trees within the next four years. Selected places such as drive ways, ceremonial roads, open spaces and school compounds would be used as growing sites. Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, he said the assembly was collaborating with the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) and the Ghana Education Service (GES), to ensure the successful implementation of the project. International organizations such as GIZ and VNF have promised to support the project. Mr Bonsu mentioned that among tree species identified for the project are �weeping willow�, �cassia�, �montalis� and �akyee� which could withstand dry weather conditions and have green foliage. He said the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has offered to provide some nursed seedlings. School children are being encouraged to actively take part in the exercise through what has been dubbed �Me and my tree� competition, and there would be prize awards in the form of computers and supply of educational materials. The project was already underway at the Asokwa Interchange-Anloga Junction Road, where about 171 trees have been planted. Mr Bonsu appealed to landlords who wanted to plant trees in front of their properties, to get in touch with either, the KMA, FORIG, the KNUST, or the Parks and Gardens. Kindly read the press release below: