By Sainabou Sambou
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of United Nations sub-regional office for West Africa recently organised the annual meeting of the steering committee of the Global Forestry Transformation for People and Climate. The two-day event took place at the Bakadji Hotel.
Ms. Moshibudi Ramped, FAO Representative in The Gambia, stated that the meeting holds profound significance, as “it is convened to review and guide the progress of a project that is instrumental in shaping the future of forest management and climate resilience in West Africa”.
She noted that the collaboration between the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the FAO, and the ECOWAS underscores their shared commitment to addressing trans-boundary forest issues and fostering regional cooperation.
The FAO Rep went on to explain that the Grassroots Adaptation Interventions for Climate Change Effects (GRACE) initiative, spearheaded by the Non-Governmental Organisation, Freedom from Hunger Campaign, embodies a grassroots approach to addressing the adverse effects of climate change on forest ecosystems and local communities. “This initiative serves as a beacon of hope, showcasing tangible solutions at the community level. By actively supporting GRACE, FAO Gambia is not only demonstrating its commitment to sustainable forest and land management but also fostering local ownership and resilience-building. Through capacity-building efforts and the promotion of community-led initiatives, we are empowering communities to become stewards of their natural resources, driving positive change from the ground up,” she said.
The Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Rohey John Manjang underscored the need to take direct concrete steps that are aimed at promoting and strengthening sustainable management of land and other natural resources, in order “to save what would have become potentially a serious negative consequence for generations to come”.
For the FAO Programme Priority Actions (PPA), Ms. Moshibudi Ramped said it underscores a strategic alignment with key global development objectives, particularly for environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity. “By prioritising a Better Environment (BE) and Better Production (BP), FAO addresses the dual responsibility of mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing food security. The 2030 Agenda compels us to halt deforestation and restore degraded forests, thereby safeguard vital ecosystems and biodiversity”.
Also speaking on the occasion was the Coordinator of the FAO Sub-Regional office for West Africa, Dr. Gouantoueu Robert Guei. He hailed the long-standing exemplary partnership between FAO and ECOWAS, which according to him has led to major achievements and very significant results in several areas in West Africa.
“As you know, our sub-region faces many challenges and bears the brunt of the effects of climate change, even though Africa contributes only 1.8% to global greenhouse gas emissions, he stated. He made reference to the agricultural sector, which he noted, accounts for about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions and, that along with forest exploitation, is one of the main drivers of deforestation. “According to the FAO (FRA 2020), annual forest loss in West and Central Africa is estimated at 1.9 million hectares between 2015 and 2020,” Mr Robert Guei reported.
Further in his deliberation, the West Africa FAO Coordinator warned that this year, according to the results of the Harmonised Framework, some 38.1 million people in the Sahel and West Africa region will be in a situation of acute food insecurity (phases 3 to 5) between March and May 2024. If nothing is done, this number could rise to around 52 million between June and August, which is generally the lean season.
