By Lamin B. Darboe
Gambia Mangrove REDD + Project recently held its Leadership Summit 2024 at Mansakonko Area Council Conference Hall. This summit is meant to shape the conservation and restoration of the mangrove ecosystem in the Gambia.
The project aims to generate greenhouse gas emission removals and reduction through mangrove restoration and avoided degradation, including wetland restoration and conservation activities.
The summit focused on celebrating the 2024 season, sharing project updates, and previewing 2025 activities. The summit also gave the project an opportunity to bring together stakeholders and communities to share ideas and discuss important matters regarding the conservation and restoration of the mangrove ecosystem in The Gambia through REDD + Mechanism.
In his overview of the project, Momodou Lamin Kassama, Director of the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (DPWM) under the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, said over 90,000 bags of mangrove were planted in 2024, while 6000 hectares have been planted for the past three years.
132 villages and fifteen districts in the West Coast, Lower River, and Central River Regions but the Director noted that it is meant to cover the entire mangrove landscapes.
“The project was designed by three NGOs namely, Sahel Wetlands Concern, West African Bird Study Association (WABSA), and Kombo Foni Forestry Association (KOMFFORA),” he outlined.
According to him, the department represents The Gambia Government in the project and is responsible for signing agreements with villages, and also serves as the national focal point of the Ramsar Convention, CBD, and Bonn Challenge and is in charge of protected areas.
Peter Kofod Kristensen, Director of Orsted Nature Base Solution in Denmark described Gambia as the largest mangrove restoration country in the world, he expressed his satisfaction with the level of commitment shown to the project by Gambians.
Governor Lower River Region Seedy Lamin Bah, Chairman of the National Assembly select committee on environment, Hon. Yahya Gassama, and Central Badibou chief, Alagie Jagne all spoke at the event.
