Mangrove Ecosystems, Food Security and Climate Change Workshop - Gunjur, June 2013

A workshop on West African Mangrove ecosystems, food security and climate change was held in Gunjur, the Gambia 25 - 27 June 2013 with the support from a Commonwealth Foundation grant. Delegates from Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and the Gambia discussed the conservation of the mangrove ecosystem in order for all to live in a healthy environment.A 3 day West African Regional workshop on mangroves was held from 25th to 27th of June, 2013 at the Gunjur Beach, Banjul, Gambia. The workshop was organized by Gunjur Environmental Project and Development Group GEDPADG /CHEC Gambia in partnership with the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC) UK and with funding support from the Commonwealth Foundation, London, United Kingdom.The Workshop on the Mangroves for West Africa sub-region became imperative because of the importance of mangroves to the ecosystem and social economic development of West Africa. Mangroves play a very important role in fertilization, stabilization, filtration and regulation of microclimate.The Opening Ceremony of the Workshop was chaired by Hon. Levi Oguike, the Honorary President of the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council, UK. Mr Badara Bajo, Director of GEDPAG gave the welcome address while “Goodwill Messages” were delivered by Assistant High Commissioner, Mr. Ian Teale, who represented the British High Commissioner to the Gambia. Other important dignitaries that graced the event are, the West Coast governor represented by Mrs fatou T. Sangyang- the deputy governor West Coast Region; the Chief of Kombo South District, Alkali of Gunjur, The Gambia Minister of Environment, Forestry and Parks represented by Bubacar Zaid Jallow.