Stakeholders sensitised on multi-lateral environment agreements

By Aisha Tamba The National Environment Agency has recently held a two-day training and sensitisation workshop on institutional capacity building for the implementation of the multi lateral environment agreements (MEA), at a local hotel in Bijilo. The initiative focuses on the role and responsibilities of stakeholders in their implementation of the multi lateral environmental (MEA’s) project in The Gambia. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the director of technical services of NEA, Dr Dawda Badjie, revealed that the key objective of the special programme is to support country-driven institutional strengthening at the national level, in the context of an integrated approach to address the financing of the sound management of chemicals and wastes, taking into account the national development strategies, plans and priorities. He further noted that the institutional strengthening under the special programme will facilitate and enable the implementation of the chemical conversion to which the Gambia is a state party. “It is important to note that all the aforementioned conversations have one main common objective which is the protection of human health and the environment in which all live,” he said. He added that the government of the Gambia attaches high priority to reducing chemical pollutions and to promoting sound management of chemicals and associated wastes. “The country has been working closely with international partners on the implementation of the chemicals conversation, which it considered crucial to further strengthening international commitment on the reduction of chemical exposure.” Dr Badjie stated that cognisance of the health concerns resulting in local exposure to chemicals especially persistent organic pollutions (POP), and in particular impact upon women and children of our committee and by extension, the future generations of this country due to a low level of awareness. “The Gambia has recognised the urgent need to take steps towards the development of an institutional framework for the sound management of chemicals to support a rapidly evolving industrial and agricultural sector,” he added. He acknowledged that in recognition of the importance of stakeholder participation, “This national inception workshop is being held to map out strategies of implementation and to identify roles and responsibility for different stakeholders,” he concluded.]]>