At least 20 beekeepers yesterday ended a two-day training on introduction to beekeeping skills. The training, which took place at the Tumani-Tenda Ecotourism Camp in Kombo East, was organised by the Kombo-Foni Forestry Association (KOMFFORA) in collaboration with the Africa Bee Couse with funds provided by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The KOMFFORA is a registered forestry association with 30 community forests in the Kombo and Foni Districts. The association is committed to promoting reforestation initiatives through community-based forest management training, extension activities, and project monitoring.

Speaking at the occasion, the president of the association, Saikou Janko, said KOMFFORA has for the past 13 years been empowering over 50,000 community members to successfully manage their traditional lands and has become a leader in sustainable forest management, improving lives and protecting the environment. He stated that the training of the beekeepers drew participants from the Kombos and the Fonis, noting that it targets to expose them to basic and responsible beekeeping to ensure that the country’s forest cover is not put at risk by the activities of beekeepers.

The secretary general of KOMFFORA, Samba Jallow, for his part, also stated that the training is inline with his association’s mission to promote sustainable use of the forest and its resources. “KOMFORRA wants to ensure that communities mutually benefit from the forest and its resources in a responsible manner,” he said.

While describing the training as important to both the beekeepers and his association, Jallow underscored that it will equally help to ensure that beekeepers are well aware and sensitised on the principles of beekeeping and their responsibility to keep the forest alive. He used the platform to commend the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for funding the training, while also thanking the Africa Bee Couse for providing the training.

The representative of the Africa Bee Couse at the training, Alexandra Kernt expressed hope that with the training provided to the participants, responsible beekeeping will be achieved soon. This, he underscored will also help in the enhancement and improvement of the forest cover within the 30 community forests under KOMFORRA.