Allahim Environmental Cultural Organisation (AECO), a registered charitable organisation based in Kartong, Kombo South district in Western Region, recently embarked on mangrove planting exercise along
Speaking to our reporter at the end of the exercise, the Chairman of the organisation, Sulayman Manneh, said his association comprises citizens of Kartong.
He said they had already planted 2,000 mangrove trees around the river, noting that their main aim "is to plant more mangrove trees from Kartong to
According to Manneh, they have a membership of 56 half of which are females. "Although some are not living in Kartong but as far as they are bona fide citizens of the village, they are members of the organisation," he added.
"Members get the mangrove seedlings by going round to collect them and plant them," he said, adding that because of the depletion of the river, his organisation decided to restore the flora.
Manneh said his organisation collaborated with West African Bird Watchers Association (WABWA) during the exercise. "It is part of our plans to have an environmental eco-centre and office," he revealed.
He called on NGOs, parastatals and Community Based Organisations to come to their aid by providing them with mobility, such as bicycles, so they could monitor the progress and growth of their mangroves "because the distance between Kartong village and the river is 4km".
Even though citizens of Kartong living abroad are contributing towards the organisation, Mr Manneh refused to be complacent: "The force should come from the citizens of the village living here presently."
