Green Up meets FAO

Officials of Green Up, on Tuesday 18^th October, 2016, held a courtesy call meeting with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its office in Fajara. 

The consultative meeting was meant to officially inform the FAO Banjul office of Green Up’s objectives and progresses made.

The Green Up is a national youth-led tree planting challenge that seeks to engage young people in planting ten thousand (10,000) trees across the country. The project is implemented by Climate Watch- The Gambia (CWG) and Youth Action for Sustainable Development. 

Speaking at the meeting, the Project Manager of the Green Up, Kemo Fatty, said the initiative is aimed at planting 10,000 trees with young people of the country adding that the initiative also has a component of raising the awareness of people; especially those in rural areas about the realities of climate change and how engaging in tree planting can help boost agricultural productivity. 

Hear him: “without putting focus on significant mitigation strategies like tree planting, food security will be at risk as climate change greatly threatens it”. 

Fatty, who doubles as the Advocacy and Education Officer of Climate Watch- The Gambia (CWG), said they plans to visit schools and sensitize students on the significance of trees in relation to combating climate change. 

According to him, schools will be motivated to effectively participate in their respective schools.

He expressed delight with the FAO for their reception and thanked them for their commitment to support the Green Up course. 

The Executive Director of Climate Watch- The Gambia (CWG), Saikou Suwareh Jabai, said Green Up is a national youth-led tree planting challenge that has garnered momentum among youth organizations in the country. 

According to him, the project was launched in the Gambia, during celebrations marking World Ozone Day in September, 2016, saying that, it has managed to engage young people in embracing the vitality of tree planting. 

Jabai, stated that they proposed to plant 10,000 trees, he added, the idea of tree planting is to attract young people to be actively engage.

He described FAO as Climate Watch’s traditional partners adding that the meeting is one of the many consultations they plan to have with relevant stakeholders in the sector. 

Speaking on behalf of the FAO Country Representative, the Coordinator of Project Action Against Desertification, Mr. Abdoulie Danso, welcome Green Up officials to FAO and expressed regards of the country representative. 

He commend Green Up for the initiative, adding that young people’s active involvement in tree planting is crucial in the fight to preserve our natural resources. He advised the team to continue engaging relevant partners in the successful attainment of the project’s objectives. 

While advising the Green Up to consider endangered tree species in the project, Mr. Danso assured the team of FAO’s support. 

The National Coordinator of Climate Watch- The Gambia (CWG), Muhhammed Jammeh, expressed similar sentiments, adding that over 10% of the 10,000 trees are already planted, majority of which are planted in Medina Mennen in North Bank Region. 

He said they are aware of the fact that the climate is adversely changing and that even though Africa contribute less to the causes, the continent still continue to face the biggest brunt of its effects. As global citizens, he said all hand need to be on deck as curbing this phenomenon requires concerted efforts.

He said Climate Watch hosts a weekly radio show on Saturdays 4pm at Star FM where the audiences are sensitized on thematic issues of the project and other salient issues.