The West African Bird Study Association (WABSA) recently held its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (DPWM) conference hall in Abuko.
In his opening speech at the AGM, the Executive Director of WABSA, Mr. Lamin Jobaate disclosed that WABSA board is the highest decision-making body for the organization and he hailed his organization’s members for their steadfastness in making sure WABSA implement its programs successfully in the country.
According to him, initially the membership of WABSA was based on individual membership but hence Birdlife International always advocate for partnership, this has prompted WABSA to include environmental CBOs and NGOs to become members of WABSA to allow them contribute to the governance system of the association.
Mr Jobaate made a presentation of strategic plan and elaborated on the contents which include the strategic objectives, Opportunity, Stakeholders, Goal and Youth Eco Bridge among other areas.
Executive Director of Smile for Life The Gambia, Omar Sanyang thanked WABSA members for the initiative. He-echoed the importance of WABSA for inviting NGOs, CBOs and SSGs as members so they can take part in the governance system of the association.
This initiative, he noted, will further cement the environmental institutions and ensure sustainable deliverable conservations activities in The Gambia.
Mr. Badara Bajo the executive director of Gunjur Environmental Protection and Development Group (GEPADG), Michael Bode Agunbiade, an intern from Brandenburg Technical University Germany, among others made remarks at the AGM, while the following people were elected to serve as the executive members of the organization for the next two years – President, Mr. Solomon Jallow, Vice President, Miss Fatoumatta Kabba, Secretary General, Pa Jatta, Assistant Secretary General, Mustapha Njie, Treasurer, Rose Davis and Assistant Treasurer, Miss Horija Jeng.
Present at the ceremony was: Mr. Kawsu Jammeh WABSA Board member who also double as the President of the Sahel Wetlands Concern in The Gambia