By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Board of Trustees of the Kairaba Conservation and Leadership Organization (KairaCLO), on Wednesday, April 14, 2024, convened a comprehensive symposium centered around the theme “Waste to Energy,” aiming to address waste management challenges and unlock opportunities in the Gambia.
The symposium drew inspiration from the visionary message articulated by Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara in the Banjul Declaration, delivered 47 years ago. It sought to explore the potential lessons for The Gambia, Africa, and the world had the warnings in the Declaration been heeded. Additionally, discussions centered on strategies to leverage waste management for the development of circular economies and the promotion of cleaner environments within our communities.
This event marked a significant part of the centennial celebrations commemorating the birth of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, revered as the Father of the Nation and the inaugural President of the Republic of the Gambia.
Held at a local hotel in Bakau, the symposium brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, political leaders, and representatives from the private sector.
Addressing the attendees, Prof. Sidat Yaffa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UTG and Director of WASCAL Gambia, reiterated his unwavering support for KairaCLO’s endeavors, emphasizing their vital role in advancing the interests of The Gambia and its people. He underscored the environmental legacy of the late Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara and highlighted his foresight, particularly evident in the Banjul Declaration years before the inception of the United Nations biodiversity convention in 1993.
“Sir Dawda had a vision 16 years before that, in 1977, when he came up with this proclamation, the Banjul declaration. It is very important that we, The Gambians, embrace this from now because it is the Gambian vision that contributed, in my opinion, to the setting up of the Intergovernmental Conference on Biodiversity by the United Nations in 1993 in Nairobi, Kenya. Sir Dawda was a professional; he was a veterinarian, but he had the vision of how we should protect our flora and fauna. This is very important, and the younger generation should take this vision as it is very important,” he said.
Moreover, Prof. Yaffa emphasized the alignment of WASCAL’s initiatives with the pressing challenges of climate change in West Africa, including the adoption of a PhD program focusing on climate change and biodiversity.
“WASCAL and the University have both shown their visions, and the UTG, under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, is interested in supporting KairaCLO to sensitise Gambians on biodiversity conservation,” he said.
Representing the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and National Resources, Bubu Pateh Jallow outlined the government’s policies and interventions aimed at effective waste management in the Gambia. He emphasized the importance of circular waste management and recycling initiatives in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing climate resilience while fostering sustainable livelihood opportunities.
“Implementing circular waste and recycling initiatives can play a significant role in avoiding greenhouse gas emissions, building climate resilience, and creating much needed sustainable livelihood opportunities,” he highlighted.
James Bahoum, speaking on behalf of The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the imperative for collaborative efforts between the private sector and the government. He stressed the need for infrastructure development, including processing plants and decomposers, to harness waste for energy production, thereby advancing industrialization goals while addressing environmental challenges.