Youth organization to embark on anti-bush fire campaign
Youth organization to embark on anti-bush fire campaign
22 March 2011
published by www.today.gm
Gambia — A Bakau-based youth organization, Side-By- Side, has indicated its interest to embark on an anti-bush fire campaign on March 26 in Farafenni, North Bank Region. This was revealed at a press briefing held at the weekend.
March pass and a symposium on the theme: Bush Fire Endangers our Environment would mark the campaign, which coincides with the 6th anniversary of the organization.
People need to consider the evil effects of bush fire and try to curb it or to arrest the menace, says Hatab Fadera, an executive member of the organization.
According to him, the celebration is expected to gather over two hundred and fifty (250) youth activists, stakeholders, and students from within and outside the organization to sensitize the participants on issues relating to the dangers of bush fire and its negative impact on the socio-economic development of The Gambia.
Fadera also spoke at length on the dangers of bush fire and its threat to agriculture, the countrys economic mainstay, adding: the government cannot do it alone; everyone has a stake towards the development of the country.
Giving his organizations intervention areas, he said they are promoting educational programmes, sexual reproductive health and right, and environmental programmes.
Our mission is to strive and provide unlimited access to sexual and reproductive health information, promote a sustainable utilization of environmental resources, address the empowerment of children and young people via education and community development awareness, and further carry out research activities for the enhancement of the associations network, he explained.
Fadera finally commended Gamcel company for their tremendous support to his organization.
According to the organizations project coordinator, Yankuba Senghore, cognizant of the fact that NBR has a history of frequent bush fire occurrences especially at this time of the year, the celebration would create a platform for the participants to share their experiences, and exchange views and ideas on the menace with a view to arresting it for the preservation of the countrys fauna and flora.
He added that the programme would witness the unveiling of their organizations new name as Side-by-side Organization which used to be United Youth Association and also featuring a quiz competition among schools in the region which the question would be drawn from environmental issues.
During the programme, Senghore said they also going to launch a new chapter in Farafenni.
For his part, the programme officer Kawsu Jaiteh opined that as young people, it is their responsibility to complement the governments effort towards the development of the country.
He also called on stakeholders, youth groups as well as individuals to come and participate during the programme, describing it as a national call.
