By Ramatoulie Jawo
Africell, one of The Gambia’s leading telecommunications companies, commemorated its 25th anniversary with a significant environmental initiative, launching a tree planting campaign aimed at enhancing sustainability and supporting national development. The event, which took place at Cape Point Beach in Bakau, saw the planting of 250 coconut trees, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental protection.
The initiative is part of a larger goal by Africell to plant 25,000 trees nationwide, in collaboration with The Gambia’s National Environmental Agency (NEA). This effort not only celebrates the company’s milestone anniversary but also aligns with national efforts to mitigate climate change and promote ecological preservation.
Ronald Senghore, the Marketing Manager of Africell, emphasized that the coconut trees planted at Cape Point Beach are not only vital to the local environment but will also serve to enhance the area’s tourism appeal.“Our pledge to plant 25,000 trees is just beginning today; this we are going to do through the entire country. We are planting coconut trees here today, but that is not where it is going to stop,” he said.
He mentioned that their initiative in the hinterlands will involve planting fruit trees and other tree species that benefit the environment. He elaborated that they will be working with schools and various regions.
“We know how development affects our natural habitat; we know that trees are felled for thawing purposes, but we are planting trees to replace those that are felled because we know how important this is, and we know that climate change is real,” he said.
Lamin Camara, a representative from the National Environmental Agency, highlighted the importance of tree planting.
“Just to say something important about planting trees: trees are life. They give life, and they give that sustenance, and the specific types of trees that are planted today, the coconut trees, are part of the coastal ecosystem; they play a very important role as far as shoreline protections are concerned.,” he said.
He explained that when Africell’s top management approached the national environmental agency about their plans for this initiative, they were met with support and assurance that the agency would provide technical assistance to ensure its success.
He pointed out that the coastline faces numerous environmental challenges, many of which are caused by human activities. He emphasized the need for collective action to address these issues, highlighting the importance of initiatives like this to combat the environmental challenges impacting their coastlines.
He also urged stakeholders to ensure that the trees they plant are properly cared for until they mature. He encouraged other private sector entities to adopt similar initiatives, stressing that “environmental management is not a one-man show.”
Saikou Dibba, the Assistant Coordinator of the Coconut Project in Bakau, expressed his gratitude to Africell for their tree planting initiative, noting that it will greatly support local environmental efforts and contribute to restoring the natural beauty of the coastal area.
According to the IMF, The Gambia is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including flooding, storms, droughts, and coastal erosion, which could lead to food insecurity and losses in tourism and fishing.
Africell’s 25th anniversary, they highlighted, is not just a celebration but a commitment to protecting the environment and investing in a greener future for The Gambia.
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