Archbishops plant first of centenary trees in Asante Mampong

The Archbishops of Canterbury and the Province of West Africa have planted the first of 100 trees which are being gifted by the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon to its sister diocese in Asante Mampong in Ghana.

The trees were planted outside St George's Garrison Anglican Church in Accra, and mark both the centenary of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon and its close links with Asante Mampong.

The Most Rev’d Justin Welby and the Most Rev’d Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, who is also Bishop of Asante Mampong, planted the trees together with one of the Church in Wales’ representatives on the Anglican Consultative Council, which has been meeting in Ghana, the Rt Rev’d Mary Stallard, Bishop-elect of Llandaff.

“We value our link with the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, and I congratulate our brothers and sisters in Swansea and Brecon on this momentous occasion as they mark the diocese's centenary," Archbishop Cyril wrote in a message of congratulations to the diocese.

“We hope that the seed of friendship and love planted here will bear fruit over the years, and we have faith that our companion link will keep up the effort to lessen the impacts of climate change.

“Here in the Diocese of Asante Mampong, we pray that our companion link will strengthen the Anglican Communion and, through this tree planting, we shall be able to sow the seed of friendship and love that will continue to bear fruit in the years to come"

Rev’d Rana Khan, the Bishop's Officer for World Mission, said: "It is our responsibility as Christians and stewards of God's creation to lessen the effects of climate change. One tangible thing we can do to meet our duty to take care of the planet is to plant trees. Our churches are taking this action as a means of ensuring that future generations can also experience the splendour of God's creation."