By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a bid to raise awareness on the negative effects of climate change and to encourage people to engage in afforestation, Female in Sierra Leone in collaboration with Patriotic Advocacy Network (PAN-SL) on Sunday 8th March 2020 launched a nationwide Climate Change Awareness Campaign on the theme: “Each for Equal in Protecting our Environment”. The launch took place at Kallon Drive on Aberdeen Beach in Freetown.
In her address, the Public Relations Officer of Female in Sierra Leone, Madam Blanche, disclosed that Sierra Leone has been named among other countries that are disaster prone furthering how it is against such a backdrop that they decided to embark on a nationwide Climate Change Awareness Campaign in order to promote afforestation and preserve the environment.
She noted that environmental issues are national issues arguing that when disaster occurs it does not only affect a certain percentage of Sierra Leoneans but the nation as a whole. She admonished participants to take proper care of the environment and urged them to stop depositing garbage in the drainages as such is human activity that destroy our environment.
She ended up saying that Sierra Leone must engage in afforestation as that will help in combating climate change in the country and help in preserving the environment.
On his part, Executive Director of Patriotic Advocacy Network, Ansumana Keita, expressed appreciation to Female in Sierra Leone for collaborating with them in the implementation of the nationwide Climate Change Awareness Campaign which he said is not only important but timely as the present situation of climate change is worrisome and if urgent action is not taken such will lead to something else in the future.
He said his organization has been dedicated to the cause of imparting the spirit of patriotism and oneness in the minds of Sierra Leoneans, promoting the ideals of human rights, the rule of law and democratic good governance in our beloved nation.
He assured the participants that they will work with Female in Sierra Leone to raise awareness on climate change and the preservation of the environment.
He said they will ensure that they take the awareness raising to schools and communities disclosing how they will start as soon as possible.
The event was climaxed by storytelling, reading of poems and musical performances.
