Comm Unit/MoECC
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in collaboration with Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs have concluded one day regional climate and forest forum in Bo District under the theme “Fostering Renewed Commitment” with support from World Bank through the Food System Resilience Program (FSRP). The one day regional forum was organized in Bombali, Port Loko, Kenema and Bo District respectively.
The Permanent Secretary, Madam Elizabeth Hawa Ellie stated the purpose of the forum in presence of representatives from Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Committee Members of Parliament on Environment and Climate Change, Donor Partners, Traditional Authorities, Local Council Chairpersons and other stakeholders, noting that it is to strengthen partnership with local leadership. She affirmed that the partnership is to recognize the traditional role of local authorities to preserve the forests, achieve sustainable management of revenue generation, provide livelihood opportunities, identify and discuss priority activities for climate finance options for Sierra Leone. She furthered that the engagement with local authorities is to renew and strengthen commitments through signing a declaration to take concrete actions to preserve the environment sustainably.
The host Paramount Chief of Bo Kakua Chiefdom, Hon. Prince Lappia Boima acknowledged in his welcome statement to enhance sustainable livelihood for local communities and further stressed on strong collaboration between the Environment Ministry and local Government Ministry for effective project implementation on climate related issues. He repeatedly implored colleague Paramount Chiefs to support government’s commitments to enhance forest management and strengthen climate resilience in their local communities. He thanked the World Bank Country Manager for supporting the government to solidify its commitments with local authorities to protect and preserve the country’s green assets.
The Deputy Chairperson on the Committee on Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Mariama Munia Zombo acknowledged the forum as very significant for local authorities to take concrete actions which could address the perennial challenges to the effects of climate change. She continued that the adverse effects of climate change have impacted wildlife in terms of extinction, fire outbreaks, sea level rise, flooding, erratic rain patterns amongst others. She called for concerted efforts among local stakeholders to put halt to the ongoing threats to the country’s rich biodiversity.
Hon. Zombo acknowledged the key role of the committee, noting that it does work with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change on climate related issues and also monitored activities of the Ministry across the country. In addition, she mentioned the committee’s role on formulating and reviewing instruments and legislations that support climate actions and resilience programs. She encouraged community authorities to support the government on sustainable forest manament practices in the country.
The World Bank Country Manager, Abdu Muwonge, considered the forest forum as very significant for the environment sector. He noted that deforestation is common within local communities and further reiterated that the involvement of community people are critical to protect the forests sustainably. He took cognizance of the increasing indiscriminate cutting of trees and the rampant poaching of wildlife in mostly protected areas which are severely impacting the country’s ecosystems. He cited World Bank’s global challenge programs including key among others, preparedness and response, water security, access and transition, supply food security and health security.
The Country Manager disclosed that World Bank has indicated sustainable forestry development as one of the global challenges being experienced in current environmental trends. He acknowledged that losing the forest would lead to loss of carbon, land degradation and diminishing of water catchments. He called for massive tree planting, systematic program that influences economic growth, law enforcement and local actions among local stakeholders.
The Team Lead SLED CLUSTER from UNDP, Madam Tanzila Sankoh disclosed that UNDP has been supportive to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change on capacity building, formulation of policies and review of legislations on climate change issues. She maintained that UNDP recognized biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change as global issues that needed to be addressed. She mentioned the climate change energy resilient portfolio that is meant for more than hundred and fifty countries which are suffering from the brunt of climate impacts. She took cognizance of the tree planting exercise which is in support to the Ministry's top priority to increase afforestation and reforestation activities in protected areas.
The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina reiterated the relevance of the forest forum as a result of the climate impacts that are being felt in local communities in country. He said local authorities have to take leadership role to address the difficult challenges with strong actions to protecting their green assets.
The Minister acknowledged the existing local laws from the local councils that are crucial for local enforcements within their communities. He appealed to World Bank to renew the existing Local Government Act so that it could align with emerging issues across multiple sectors including the environment sector.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Emmanuel Abdulai acknowledged the crucial role of traditional authorities noting that they are custodian of the land within their localities that have experienced climate impacts in terms of poor yield in agricultural produce, water pollution, indiscriminate depletion of the forest cover, loss of water catchments amongst others. He reemphasized for strong collaboration among traditional authorities and the local councils to address the existential threats to climate change.
Jiwoh E. Abdulai maintained that the forum is to acknowledge the various concerns from local leadership which could increase forest cover, restore degraded areas and protect the forest for future generation. He frowned at charcoal production which has significantly impacted the forests and have also put the country’s ecosystems in a precarious situation. He entreated stakeholders present to have frank discussions on the most pressing challenges and take decisive actions to addressing them.
Meanwhile, the forum event was climaxed by group discussions and presentations among local authorities. This was followed by signing of declaration which is in fulfillment of local leadership’s commitment towards enhancing forest management and strengthen climate resilience in local communities.
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