The Ministry of Forestry and the Environment (MoFEN) recently concluded a two-day national workshop for the validation of the draft report and development of the Sub-regional Convergence Plan for sustainable management and utilisation of forest eco-systems in West Africa, held at the Baobab Holiday Resort in Kololi. The objective of the two-day national workshop was to improve the efficiency of the management of forest eco-system and resource management and projects so as to strengthen the community capacities related to forest eco-system and resource management and control.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Jato Sillah, minister of Forestry and the Environment cited government’s commitment to the realisation of its environment conservation objectives, as well as the development agenda envisaged in the country’s Vision 2020 blueprint, and  other international and local initiatives. According to the Forestry minister, The Gambia forest eco-system and parklands are not only the source of wood supply for the household but also the folder of the livestock and the basis of agricultural production of the country.

He noted that several other products such as non-wood forest products also generate relevant income for the local communities and by so doing, contribute to poverty alleviation. The forest eco-system, he indicated, has a vital role to play against climate change and the reduction of disaster, “because it can provide a vital economy in eco-tourism and food production and at the same time prevent desertification”.

The Forestry minister also urged the gathering to closely review the document presented to them, noting that it would serve as one of the blueprints for future forestry and Ecowas projects. He finally thanked Ecowas and the FAO for providing all necessary support on this national convergence plan. For his part, Samuel Mendy, a forestry expert who is Ecowas representative, enjoined the gathering to reflect on to 11th June 2011 in Cotonou  (Benin), where the minister in charge of Forestry and Wildlife of Ecowas adopted the document of Forests Dialogue in West Africa, as well as the terms of reference for the preparation of the Convergence Plan for the sustainable management and utilisation of forest eco-system in the sub-region.

The Ecowas representative revealed that Ecowas Forestry Policy, which was developed in 2005, was sponsored by the FAO and since 2007 the organisation in partnership with IUCN and other international and regional organisations have coordinated the rate of forest degradation and deforestation in the sub-region.

Dr. Babagana Ahmadu, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) country representative, said forest offers more than immediate solutions, as they provide some of the most insightful experiences the world has gathered so far. He added that forest provides useful lesson for other sectors on how to approach the 21st century challenges, including taking the aspiration of the green economy from topic to reality.

He explained that the conservation and sustainable use of forests have been built from practical bottom up experience and not from conceptual theory. “The history of the conservation and sustainable use of forest,” he went on, “illustrate that while some degree of specialisation is possible, there is always a fundamental need to ensure that society benefits from a balanced supply of social, economic and environmental values”.

In conclusion, the FAO representative thanked the government of The Gambia through the minister of Forestry and the Environment for their continuous support to the FAO, while reaffirming the FAO’s commitment to support The Gambia government to achieve its development objectives.