By: Haruna Kuyateh
Stakeholders through the support of European Union Action Against Hunger Green Economy project recently held a sensitisation summit to support rural communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The summit aimed at strengthens resilience building on sustainable landscape planning through integrated agro ecological and agro forestry transformation.
Speaking at the summit, Mama Manneh, executive director of Njawara Agricultural Training Centre emphasized the significance of empowering communities to participate in the monitoring of projects at community levels, with the view to ensure transparent and accountability of fund.
Salieu Samba, project manager at NATC said orientation of frontline extension workers and Village Focal Points would help promote social accountability on how project funds are implemented with the view to have impact on lives and livelihood development.
“The project target, physically challenge women and youths to strengthen through promotion of income diversification opportunities such as; energy saving stoves, press bricks production &transform forest products,” he said.
He recognised the active participation on the project implementation by beneficiary communities would contribute immensely to build ownership.
He added: “The project has provided 11 hand washing tanks, soaps, face masks and hand sanitizer to 11 communities to complement the fight against COVID19.”
Lamin AS Marena, senior community development assistant for Upper Badibou assured his team’s commitment to transferring appropriate information on project in combating deforestation, enhance food production and youth’s development.
“Establishment of Village Focal points would help to boost social mobilization. As part of empowering communities, the project has help to identified project intervention communities to have Monitoring and Evaluation Focal Points to ensure transparency and accountability,” he said.
Munyagen, Toroba, Kerr Birom Kunda, Kubandar, Maka Farafenni, Taliya, Kerr Ndongo, Daru Barakat, Biran Kunda, Konteh Kunda Sukoto and Jamaya all benefited from the support.
