Posted on September, 20 2018

WWF has been recognized for supporting the protection and restoration of species and their habitats by strengthening the capacity of local communities to take charge of their environment resources in Africa. This recognition was presented by NEPAD Agency, the technical body of the African Union, during an award ceremony on the evening of 19 September at UN Complex in Nairobi.
 
Frederick Kwame Kumah, WWF Regional Director for Africa commended the NEPAD Agency for recognizing the contribution of environmental conservation organizations in Africa. ‘’The future is now, it is the actions we all take today that will ensure that Africa’s ecological future is secured.’’
 
‘’It is time for us to reconsider our approaches to conservation and to embrace the new realities of the future. We need an African movement for nature that demands and drives a sustainability discourse in homes, political corridors and businesses,’’ remarked Frederick Kumah.
 
WWF also received an award on behalf of the Women Solar Engineers from Madagascar commonly known as ‘Solar Grannies’. They were recognized for promoting the use of renewable energy solutions in rural parts of Madagascar.
 
Barefoot College and WWF established a partnership to develop the “Woman Solar Engineers” approach with the aim of promoting access to sustainable energy for all, especially in WWF’s priority areas of intervention throughout the world. Madagascar was chosen as the first country in which to implement this global partnership, and the approach has been initiated in the country through this partnership.
 
Finally, WWF received an award on behalf of late Dr Stephen Gartlan, former Director of the Cameroon Programme Office, for “his role in establishing several protected areas in Central Africa and building the capacity of young Africans in environmental management”. Dr Gartlan was instrumental in the commitment made by the Heads of States of countries of the Congo Basin for the conservation and sustainable management of the forests of the region through the Yaounde Declaration.
 
In recognizing 'distinguished service in environmental management' in Africa, H.E Mr Keriako Tobiko Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in Kenya, stated that, “There is a lot happening on the continent already and outstanding leadership needs to be recognized.”
 
Addressing Mrs Estherine Fotabong, NEPAD Agency’s Director of Programmes, Mr Tobiko said, “The NEPAD Agency has done well in supporting the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment [AMCEN], by organising the award ceremony.”

“The NEPAD Agency is extremely proud to be associated with AMCEN which has over the last 30 plus years provided coherent leadership on matters relating to the Environment,” Mrs Fotabong remarked.
 
The countries that received certificates of recognition for exceptional leadership in environmental management for various achievements are: Egypt, Morocco, Cameroon, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania.
 
WWF Regional Office for Africa received the awards on the sidelines of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) and on the eve of the 1st Africa Environment Partnership Platform (AEPP) meeting, which starts on 20 September, under the theme ’50 years of environmental governance and sustainability in Africa.’
 
WWF will be presenting the Africa Ecological Futures (AEF) II thinking and approach at the Africa Environment Partnership Platform (AEPP) meeting. AEF II aims to adopt the right planning approach to address Africa’s developmental challenges, and harness the opportunities and resources in order to achieve a just, equitable and prosperous future for all Africans.
 
For further information:
Victor Nyambok: vnyambok@wwfafrica.org