By Ndey Sowe
The West African Bird Study Association, in short WABSA, recently convened its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the conference hall of the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (DPWM).
WABSA’s main objective is to support government and non-governmental agencies to formulate policies that will effectively and practically mainstream bird study and environmental protection, which play a vital role in sustainable development of the country.
In his opening speech, the Executive Director of WABSA, Mr. Lamin Jobaate, highlighted how the strategic plan was prepared by both WABSA Board of Directors and members which took them three days. He informed that audience WABSA Board is the highest decision-making body for the organization, and hailed his organization’s members for their steadfastness in making sure WADSA implements its programs successfully in the country.
Jobaate indicated that initially, the membership of WABSA was based on individual membership; but hence BirdLife International always advocate for partnership, that had prompted WABSA to include environmental Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to become members of WABSA, so that they can also contribute to the governance system of the association.
Executive Director Jobaate also did the presentation of strategic plan by elaborating on the following contents: strategic objectives, opportunity, stakeholders, Goal and Youth Eco-Bridge, among other areas.
For his part, Smile for Life-The Gambia’s Executive Director; Mr. Omar Sanyang thanked WABSA members for the initiative. He echoed the importance of WABSA inviting both NGOs, CBOs and SSGs as members and to take part in the governance system of the association. He said this initiative would further cement the environmental institutions together to partner and ensure sustainable deliverable conservation activities in the Gambia.
Mr. Badara Bajo, Executive Director of Gunjur Environmental Protection and Development Group (GEPADG), commended WABSA for the initiative of extending the membership to institutions like NGOs and CBOs.
Mr. Michael Bode Agunbiade, an intern from Brandenburg Technical University Germany, who is currently working on his PhD thesis which is poised to quantify ecosystems that are being provided in The Gambia–the first of its kind in the sub-region–served as an observer during the AGM.
At the end of the AGM, six people were elected to serve in the executive of WABSA, to steer its affairs for the next two years. They are: Mr. Solomon Jallow-Vice President; Miss Fatoumatta Kabba, Mr. Pa Jatta, Mr. Mustapha Njie, Ms. Rose Davis, and Miss Horija Jeng.
Mr. Kawsu Jammeh, WABSA Board member who also doubles as the President of the Sahel Wetlands Concern in The Gambia, graced the occasion.
