Empowering Journalists to Combat the Climate Crisis: Explore the Innovative WACA-GPU Initiative

A recent event at Halahin Eco Lodge in Kartong, Kombo South, brought together journalists focused on critical environmental issues. The goal? To provide them with the tools needed to tell accurate, impactful stories about climate change, coastal erosion, floods, and waste management.

This initiative is part of the $45 million WACA Gambia Project, backed by the World Bank. Running from 2023 to 2027, the project aims to benefit over 200,000 people living along the 11.2 km Kotu Stream.

Isatou Keita, president of The Gambia Press Union, highlighted the media’s vital role in raising public awareness. “Journalists must report these issues with clarity and urgency,” she stressed, underlining the need for responsible reporting.

The initiative will also provide mentorship and funding to journalists for in-depth storytelling about WACA’s focus areas. Ebrima Colley, from the Ministry of Environment, emphasized that precise reporting can save lives during disasters. As climate events become more severe, the media’s role is more crucial than ever.

Haruna Cham from the WACA Project shared memories of the devastating 2022 floods. He noted that this tragedy pushed The Gambia to create its first National Disaster Risk Management Policy. The project is promoting a mix of building infrastructure and using nature-based solutions to help communities better withstand disasters.

Aisha Davies-Ann, director at the Ministry of Information, echoed these sentiments. She explained that training journalists is essential in today’s world, where environmental issues affect everyone. “Understanding these complexities goes beyond surface-level reporting,” she said. “With the right skills, journalists can effectively communicate these important issues.”

Additionally, the WACA project includes flood risk reduction strategies, like upgrading bridges and drainage systems, cleaning rivers, and promoting green urban planning. These efforts aim to enhance living conditions while supporting health and economic growth in coastal areas.

As environmental challenges become more pressing, the synergy between informative journalism and community resilience will be key to navigating the future.

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