Archbishops plant centenary trees in Ghana

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.

Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, who is also Bishop of Asante Mampong, were joined by Bishop Mary Stallard, the Bishop-Elect of Llandaff, to plant the trees during the meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council at Ghana this month.

“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."

The Revd Rana Khan, the Bishop's Officer for World Mission for the Diocese, 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."