Friday, January 17, 2014

NBR Governor Challenges Environmental Journalists



By Haruna Kuyateh in NBR

NBR Participants
The governor for North Bank Region, Mr Lamin Queen Jammeh has challenged journalists in Gambia to be proactive in the protection of the environment.

He was speaking at a day-long capacity building training for journalists, forest users and wood loggers in his region. This was organised by BAJ-Gambia, an association of environmental journalists.

Yet, Governor Jammeh, whose area is hit hardest by deforestation, believes that environment journalism could do more.

”Building public awareness on environmental issues is essential” he said. “As environmental journalists, more is needed [from you] to bring about positive behaviourial change to ensure that communities take ownership and contribute to the regeneration forest species and natural habitat.


“Journalist should forge partnership with the department of forestry and agriculture to enable farmers to adopt agro-forestry practises to improve food security.”

Mr Jammeh went on to speak at length on the significance of protecting and preserving the forest cover and natural resources against exploitation. He noted that government attaches great importance to the protection of the country’s biodiversity as it enhances lives and livelihoods.

In his speech, Mr. Abdou Rahman Sallah, said BAJ-Gambia is fully committed to operate within the framework of decentralisation process, citing the establishment of regional structures to enhance effective public awareness on the natural resources.

The national coordinator lauded Global Environment Facility, under the purview of UNDP, for supporting his organisation to raise more public awareness on biodiversity to bring about sustainable development.
Also speaking, Papa Jassey, a representative of the Gambia Teachers Union of Kerewan thanked BAJ Gambia for the initiative and assured of teachers’ full support to the protection of environment and natural resources.          

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