UNDP discusses climate change in Sierra Leone

Augustine Samba in the Awareness Times (Sierra Leone): The United Nations Development Programme and Global Environmental Facility (GEF), in partnership with Sierra Leone Government have taken the lead to champion a discussion on climate related issues in the country. At a project inception workshop held on Saturday 20th October 2012, at the Shangi La Conference Room on Lumley Beach Rd, organizers dilated on “Strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning Systems in Western and Central Africa for Climate resilient development and adaptation to climate change in Sierra Leone”.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Reynolds Johnson said the theme itself was quite explanatory. He said that the fight against climate change in Africa would collapse as a result of what he referred to as negligible intervention of Africans themselves.

Mr. Johnson further stated that the fight on climate change issue should not be isolated, adding that lots of workshop trainings have been organized in Sierra Leone but that outcomes have not been implemented.

UNDP’s Deputy Country Director, Mr. Mohamed Abchir commended the Government for its tireless effort towards development of the National Adaptation Plan of Action on Climate Change (NAPA). He also thanked GEF for funding the climate related projects. He reassured UNDP’s continued support in the promotion of integrating climate change and disaster management, whilst adding that the UNDP is very concern about climate imparts in Sierra Leone.

Mr. Abchir disclosed that the looming negative effects of climate change and its related disasters could largely be blamed on the growing effects of the greater past and present release of green house gases caused by man’s activities and the absence of an effective early warning system in the country....