NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- The government of The Gambia under the auspices of the Ministry of Forestry and Environment, has recognised the local communities participation in the fight against the threats of climate change in the country, said Mr. Ebrima Darboe at the said Ministry.
Mr. Darboe made these remarks on behalf of the minister of Forestry and Environment at the official opening of a two-day workshop from 25th -26th Fenbruary 2011 at the Mansea Hotel, and was organised by Global Unification The Gambia, (GU), solely funded by Action Aid International The Gambia (AAITG) under the theme: 'Climate Change and Agriculture, ensuring Food Security in the Changing Climate.'
The inclusion of local communities, who have knowledge of their local conditions and coping mechanisms to initiate and adapt has long been recognised by the government of The gambia and its development partners, " Darboe remarked.
He went on to say that the creation of the National Environment Agency (NEA), and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) by the government, he said is the fact that government recognised the importance of local participation in addressing environment and climate change issues.
According to him, the government has since the inception of the two agencies, the government recognised the importance of local participation in addressing environment and climate change issues.
He added that the government has since the inception of the two agencies, the government has decentralize the regions of the country, he continued, “ This decentralization policy of government is geared towards ensuring participation of local communities in adding development issues like water and sanitation, food security, poverty reduction and at the same time enhance mitigation and adaptation efforts."
Mr. Darboe noted that the department (Forestry) under the review of the Ministry, have numerous projects geared towards improving the livelihood of local communities, who have been engaged as partners and are given equal footing in the decision making processes.
According to Darboe, in the international area in the fight against climate change, he said, the Gambia’s efforts in climate change, forums is well recognised saying that, "I am pleased to inform this forum that at the level of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC0, The Gambia is now the chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) from January 2011 to December 2013, adding that "this shows you that the governments efforts on climate change have international recognition,” he said.
He then congratulate Global Unification The Gambia and Action Aid International The Gambia for what, he described, as their lanalable initiative and ensured them that the ministry of forestry and environment unflinching support in their collective efforts in the fight against climate change. “The need to organised such an important forum cannot be over emphasized" adding that “this is not only because climate change is recognised as the issue of our times but has been there forever. According to Darboe, climate change undermines development plans in all sectors of the economy and the millennium development goals (MDGS), citing Goals one and seven.
He added that climate change is the threat it posses are real and must be taken seriously by all, adding that climate change is a global issues. around the globe, he said seasons are shifting, temperature are climbing and sea levels are rising. He adds: if we don’t alt now, climate change will permanently after the lands and waters, we all depend upon for survival.” Some of the most dangerous consequences of climate change, he said are higher temperature, changing landscape, wild life at risk, rising sea levels, increased risk of droughts fire and floods, more heat related illness, and diseases, economic loss, due to power harvest and loss of crops.
He remarked the poor are dependant on natural resources and have less of availability to adapt to a change climate disease, techning crop yields and natural disasters, he said are fiot few adding that the impacts of climate change could devastate the worlds most vulnerable communities.
Madam Jainaba Nyang- Njie speaking on behalf of AAITG country director said that this is the first time AAITG is supporting Global Unification The Gambia in such an important workshop.
According to her, lack of resources is also a barriers in the fight against climate change, and lack of knowledge too might be another obstacle, but was quick to say that with limited resources, she hold the believe that many communities will be addressing the issues of climate change.
Mr. Ebrima S. Dem National Representative Global Unification The Gambia, said: "we at Global Unification has since being involved in climate change issues, an we will continued to be climate change advocates".
He thanked Action Aid International The Gambia for funding the national stakeholders workshop, which he said, has brought together many in the workshop to discuss on climate change.
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