By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
The Animal Welfare Association of The Gambia (AWAAG), in partnership with the Animal Welfare Network, The Gambia, marked World Animal Day 2025 with a celebration at Gambia College in Brikama on Saturday. The event, themed “Safe Animals, Safe the Planet,” drew a diverse crowd, including schoolchildren, students, academics, veterinarians, and animal welfare advocates, highlighting the critical interplay between animal well-being and planetary health.
The commemoration highlighted the indispensable role of animals in ecosystems, food security, and public health. Dr. Mustapha Manneh, Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the Department of Livestock Services, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the theme’s relevance. “This year’s theme reminds us of the undeniable interdependence between human health, animal health, and environmental health,” he stated. “Protecting animals is not just a moral duty but a pillar in safeguarding our ecosystem, ensuring food security, and promoting public health.”
Dr. Manneh reaffirmed his department’s mandate as the technical arm of the Ministry of Agriculture, responsible for national animal health and welfare. He highlighted ongoing initiatives, including vaccination campaigns, treatment services, disease surveillance, and other interventions to maintain a healthy livestock population. “We are committed to advancing animal welfare by promoting humane treatment, responsible ownership, and a culture of compassion,” he added. “The dignity of every animal must be respected, from the pasture to the mother’s plate.”
A highlight of the day was the presentation of the Animal Welfare Award of the Year 2025, recognizing outstanding contributions to animal advocacy.
Dr. Kebba Daffeh, Coordinator of the Animal Welfare Network and a prominent advocate, praised the heavy student turnout from various schools and institutions. “This is a milestone in animal welfare advocacy, with potential to inspire more schools to embrace it and promote animal health and well-being,” he said.
Dr. Daffeh announced the co-winners of the ‘Animal Welfare Advocates of the Year, 2025’: Serra Ceesay of Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) and Kebba Ansu Manneh of The Alkamba Times. The award honored not only the journalists but also their media houses for amplifying animal welfare voices through dedicated platforms. “Their work has tremendously advanced promotion of animal welfare in the country,” Dr. Daffeh noted.
Additional honors went to Kombo Kerewan Lower, Upper, and Senior Secondary School, named ‘Animal Welfare Club of the Year’ for its exemplary efforts. Juldeh Njie and Modou, both from QTV, were also recognized for their “gigantic contributions” to animal welfare.
Other speakers included Muhammed Hazaly Bah, President of AWAAG, and Dr. Musa Bah, who advocated for humane treatment of animals while detailing their socioeconomic importance to Gambian families. Domestic animals, they stressed, bolster livelihoods through agriculture, nutrition, and economic stability.
The event fostered dialogue on responsible practices and compassion, inspiring attendees to champion animal rights. As World Animal Day 2025 concluded, participants left with a renewed commitment to a safer planet where animal welfare drives environmental and human prosperity. AWAAG’s initiatives continue to build a compassionate society, one advocacy effort at a time.
