One of Gambia’s foremost conservationist, Momodou Inkeh Bah has been awarded the prestigious Points of Lights Award by Her Majesty the Queen of England through the British High Commissioner Mr. David Belgrove in recognition of his efforts to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change through Climate Action.
The young Conservationist joins a list of personalities given the Commonwealth Point of Light 200 award for their dedication to conserving the environment.
Points of Lights are outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community.
Every week day the UK Prime Minister recognises an inspirational volunteer with the Daily Point of Light award.
“I dedicate this award to the community of Sintet, CAPED staff and Volunteers who for over a decade led the restoration efforts. I thank you all for the support and encouragement, the 36 year old Mr Bah told Alkamba Times from his base in Banjul.
Momodou Inkeh Bah is the founder of ‘Community Action Platform on Environment and Development (CAPED)’, a grassroots non-profit organisation working ro restore degraded mangrove and forest areas in the Lower River, one of the main tributaries of the River Gambia.
Momodou’s initiative has planted over three million mangrove plants and created over five kilometres of forest, repairing damaged ecosystems and providing safe habitats for wildlife.
The initiative is also helping to create jobs for local people, ensuring that poor rural families have better protection from the impacts of climate change by preserving vulnerable coastlines from heavy storms and erosion.
“As I humbly accept this award, I would like to make some important comments. Combating climate change will need all our leadership, commitment, and ingenuity. This is not going to be easy. Nonetheless, I want to emphasise that, by facing up to this crisis, we have been given an exciting opportunity to make progress on a wide range of sustainable development issues”.
“It is an opportunity we must seize. By pursuing a green economy based on efficient and equitable resource use, we will cut down greenhouse gas emissions and protect essential ecosystems”, he said, adding:
“At the same time, we will reinvigorate national economies, create employment and livelihood opportunities, improve human well-being and achieve our sustainable development targets.”
David Belgrove OBE, British High Commissioner to The Gambia who presented Queens award to Momodou said: “Momodou Inkeh is a shining example of how individuals can make a positive impact. His innovation and commitment benefits The Gambia, its people and the Earth’s environment as a whole.”
First established by President George H. W. Bush in 1990, over 6,000 US Points of Lights have been recognised in the USA.
The UK Points of Lights award was initiated in partnership with the US programme and launched at 10 Downing Street in April 2014.
Since then hundreds of people have been named Points of Light by the Prime Minister, highlighting an enormous array of innovative and inspirational volunteering across the length and breadth of Britain and around the world.
