06/06/2024
‼️WHH CELEBRATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY IN KENEMA
By Papson S.J Fofanah
As World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated annually on 5th June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment, for which it being supported by many Non- Governmental organizations, businesses, government entities, and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment.
Wealth Hunger Hilfe (WHH) in collaboration with Kenema City Council celebrate World Environment Day with the theme" the tides of change building a plastic free coastline with recycled plastics" in Kenema City Council Hall.
In his welcome address, the Chief Administer of Kenema City Council Joseph G.T Gando who also serve in the capacity as chairman of the occasion started by welcoming all celebrants present and give a brief background about the celebration.
Reflecting the mind on a historic background of the concept World Environment Day was first held in 1973, it has been a platform for raising awareness on environmental issues as marine pollution, overpopulation, global, warming, sustainable development and wildlife crime. World Environment Day is a global platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries annually.Participation from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada,Chile, Denmark,Finland,France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, South Africa and the United States.
Every year, the program has provided a theme and forum for businesses, Non-Government organizations, communities, politicians and stars to advocate environmental causes. He ended.
The Mayor of Kenema City Council, Thomas Karimu Baio thank the leadership of WHH for their relentless support towards the council more especially in mitigating waste within and maintain the cleanest city status in the country as accorded them recently. He encourage everyone present not to only regard this day as celebration but rather be agents of sustainable development in environmental trajectory to have a well conducive environment.
As water is one among the key elements in environment, the Performance Tracking Manager &New Desk Coordinator at the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation Musa ShaKa bring greetings from the leadership of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation. His Excellency the president recognizing the WASH sector as cross cutting and critical to achieving the Big Five Game Changers of the peoples manifesto, expanded the mandate of the Ministry to cover Sanitation. The ministry thus has an overarching mandate to increase access to safe and potable water, promote the provision of safety managed sanitation formulate policies, regulations and standards and to engender collaboration and cooperation amongst WASH sector stakeholders and this expanded mandate is why they're part of this celebration today.
As already been elucidated by previous speakers, the day was designated by the UN General Assembly to create an awareness of the kind of environment we're living in and the need to conserve and preserve,it has become a platform to create consciousness on the environmental issues we are facing on a global scale. The global as well as the local themes of this year's celebration, resonates with major and Sierra Leone is among the Nations most severely impacted by water scarcity and contamination, clean water is arguably the most essential resource for life on planet. Yet we're now faced with a daunting challenge to provide access to safe and clean water supply because of the degree to which harmful practices have corrupted water resources groundwater causes people to contract diseases like typhoid,cholera, hepatitis, dysentery and salmonella. It also causes malnourishment in children, which leads to problems with their development in short term and for their overall health in the long term. Mr. Shaka Concluded.
Head of Programmes at Wealth Hunger Hilfe (WHH) Sierra Leone Mr. Gospell Matondi acknowledge the diverse stakeholders present as we gather to celebrate World Environment Day 2024, under the compelling global theme: "Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience"and local theme "the tides of change: Building plastic free coastline with recycled products".
This global theme underscores the urgent need to address some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time ,it is call to action for everyone of us- government, businesses, communities, and individuals to unite in our efforts to restore our lands, combat deforestation, and build resilience against draught.
Our theme"The tides of change: Building plastic free coastline with recycled products" recognizes that growing problem of plastic waste pollution in Sierra Leone.
Today, I want to bring your attention to pressing issue that is threatening the health, environment, and future of our beloved Sierra Leone. The plastic waste and deforestation problems are not unique to us, but their impacts are felt deeply in our communities,our landscape, and livelihood.
For plastic waste scale of problem, Sierra Leone like many other developing countries,is grappling with the rapid increase in plastic waste with urbanization, population growth, and infrastructure needed to manage this waste have not kept pace. In the area of waste generation,every day tons of plastic waste are generated across the country, this includes plastic bags, bottles, packaging materials, and other single use items. The lack of effective waste management systems means that much of this plastic ends up in the environment which causes environmental impact, health hazard etc.
Elaborating on deforestation and the importance of land restoration,lands is the foundation of our ecosystems and our livelihoods. However, land degradation is accelerating at an alarming rate,driven by unsustainable land use, climate change, and poor agricultural practice. He to action for government, Businesses, Communities and NGOs, educators and researchers and the youth to commit in taking the necessary steps to address this issue,educate ourselves and our communities,invest in sustainable infrastructure and advocate for stronger regulations.
By working together,we can turn the tide on plastic waste and protect our environment for generations to come. Mr. Matondi affirmed.
In representation of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change,Mr Edwin Mbaimba Director of Environmental Quality Control Management, on behalf of the Minister Hon. Mima Yema Sobba Stephens who is unavoidably absent due to her engagement in the world Environment day celebration in Freetown.
It a pleasure for me to join this year celebration in Kenema with the global theme:"Land Restoration, Desertification and Draught Resilience"and on the local them:"tides of change: Building a plastic free coastline with recycled plastics".
As we stand firmed towards our mandate in providing a very suitable atmosphere for the people of Sierra Leone through the help of partners like WHH and the community inhabitants.
According to UNDP, only nine percent of the billion tonnes of plants the world has over produced has been recycled,most ends up landfills dump in the Environment. These plastic have potential health effects on human and animals, causes flooding and the agriculture and the Marine Environment are negatively impacted.
In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs Alfred Moi Jamiru expressed his profound thanks to WHH for there tremendous support rendering to Local government across the country.
Today marks important day for waste management in Sierra Leone, and the role of WHH as we come together to celebrate the world environment day for which I'm glad that the city of Kenema is hosting and we're of the fact that they were awarded as the cleanest city. The testament of recognition as champion of waste management in Sierra Leone.
Hon.Tamba Lamina Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs send it warm regards and best wishes to all of you and thank the WHH team in Sierra Leone as he remain committed to the ideas of WHH and waste management demonstrated in organizations support and partnership with our local council are modernized with the grate infrastructure and protect the environment.
Recognition on important of waste management are His Excellency the president Rtd Brigadier Jelius Maada Bio by calling for a waste management strategy in Sierra Leone, creation of Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, planting of trees across communities in a large scale, active engagement around environmental issues, supporting the local council with dump trucks to help manage waste etc.
Mr. Jamiru ended by saying that WHH should continue working with the local council to control waste in the various District across Sierra Leone and plead with us as citizens to refrain from any act that will undermine the process.
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