Commentary

By Abayomi Charles Roberts, PV General Editor, Edmonton, Canada.

Green Scenery is an organization which promotes awareness about the environment and helps in its conservation in Sierra Leone. It was founded in Freetown by a group of teachers and this year, 2009, the organization observes its 20th anniversary.

Human rights activist and former teacher, Joseph Rahall, came up with the idea of involving school children much more in a nationwide environmental campaign. It was during a casual discussion in the staff room of the Government Model School where Rahall, some other founding members and I worked. That was early in 1989.

“Children are more impressionable; through them we can also reach their peers, families, neighbours….“ reasoned Rahall, a graduate of Njala University College where he specialized in agricultural science. By the end of the school year (1988/89) we had canvassed and brought in other co-workers and teachers from other schools. Notably, there were Messrs Thoronka and Fasuluku from SL Muslim Brotherhood and Govt. Rokel schools, respectively. Teachers from Albert Academy and FSSG also joined us soon after. Green Scenery was officially registered with the government, as a non-profit body, on October 29, that same year 1989.

The original strategy was to help the kids form their own nature clubs and, among other schemes, mobilize them consistently for tree-planting sessions held by the government. The national tree planting exercise was an annual affair timed to take place around World Environment Day on June 5. The site was near Leicester village on Mount Aureol

There were teething problems for sure, but we were determined. With help from diverse quarters and through sheer tenacity and resourcefulness the group tackled the odds as they came. One big obstacle was the war and all the constraints it brought. Green Scenery invariably triumphed and survived, even growing in the process. We had invaluable assistance and guidance from overseas bodies like The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the UK-based Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The latter sponsored the Kenema-based Gola Rain Forest Conservation Programme. Scot Peter Wood was its director and he often held workshops in Freetown, to which Green Scenery was regularly invited.

Locally, Green Scenery worked with The Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL); Ms. Talabi Aisie Lucan’s CHECSL; and The Sierra Leone Adult Education Association which had Dr. Lettie Stuart at the helm. At this milestone Green Scenery cannot ignore the personal advice and moral support of the likes of Pa Turay who worked at the Forestry department at Tower Hill, as well as senior civil servant Val Collier. As I write the organization is a current member of the umbrella outfit SLANGO, The SL Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, as well as The national Forum for Human Rights.

The government too is to be acknowledged for its co-operation/liaison during the organization’s infancy. The Forestry department, for example, would bring in experts like Hazel Thompson of Fourah Bah Bay College (USL). As botany lecturer Mr. Thompson would teach us how to manage, handle and transplant FAO-supplied tree seedlings. Green Scenery members would in turn pass the skills learnt unto the kids, through their nature clubs. Favoured tree species included Acacia Manjium, the Neem tree, and Eucalyptus.

We were also involved in the annual Wildlife Week anchored by the RSPB and CSSL. The later is the brainchild of medico/politician Dr. Sama S Banya. Messrs. John Moriba and DD Saffa were the key CSSL workers at the time. The seven-day wildlife programme was held every October and in 1992 Green Scenery featured prominently for the first time. We the members inspired the kids to take part in several educational/recreational activities. By the end they were just thrilled to join a colourful march past and then a fete, to wrap up the week.

On our own Green Scenery members would invite volunteers to join us in random tree planting outings. These were essentially for publicity and to take advantage of the long vacation as school teachers. Another objective was to enhance the survival of transplanted seedlings by working around the start of the rainy season and thus prevent soil erosion. We targeted the courtyard of Youyi Building for the benefit of the hundreds of workers and visitors at the multi-storey (government) office building. Similarly, Green Scenery planted trees on the slopes of Mount Aureol facing the ‘Red Pump’ stream near Mountain Cut. Stretches of Hill Cot Road got similar treatment for a combination of all these reasons.

Back to the 1992 Wildlife Week: renowned researcher on chimpanzees Jane Goodall was guest of honour. Retired army captain Valentine Strasser - new head of state at the time – gave the keynote speech as the event took off at the British Council hall on Tower Hill.

One of the most innovative projects Green Scenery took on, those early years was a couple of mini-marathons; one each for male and female competitors. Dubbed Green Run ’94, it took place in Freetown in June 1994. No doubt it was the first ever sporting event for the environment to be held in Sierra Leone. Green Run ’94 was a resounding success in many ways, especially in terms of participation (dignitaries, sport officials and athletes). There was ample public interest too as people defied the rain to watch the runners sweat it out. A noteworthy case was Dr. Eugenia Osho-Williams. An outstanding national sprinter herself in the 1980s, Dr. Osho-Williams volunteered to check the physical fitness of the scores of aspiring runners on the eve of the race.

In another worthwhile venture Green Scenery – challenged a decision to build structures along the drive between State House and Parliament Building. The government was dissuaded after Green Scenery – whose motto is ‘Pro Terra’ – sent out letters and posters of protest, highlighting effects the proposed project could have on the scenic, hill-side drive.

On a personal note, I feel proud to have served as the organization’s first Publicity Officer. I was chairperson of the sub-committee that drafted its first constitution; a requirement for formal registration. I still recall with amusement the rigorous work; using a manual typewriter, cyclostyle machine and carbon/stencil. I also represented the group at a wildlife workshop for teachers in Ghana, sponsored by RSPB. I had the enviable chance to interact with Dorothy Bashford and David Chandler the two RSPB members who attended the workshop from Britain. I was impressed in one highlight to see a live tree planted years earlier by Prince Charles. It was at the Ghana Game and Wildlife Department’s gardens on Aburi hills.

I May be far away but I remain a member of Green Scenery, at least in spirit and my thoughts. Nine years ago, on June 5 2000, I was honored to have been announced as ‘Keynote Speaker from Green Scenery,’ by Suaibatu Wahab an eighth grade pupil of CIA in Guinea. It was World Environment Day and Paul Duwai-Sowa - an avid environmentalist now in Toronto, Canada - organized a special event at the Conakry International Academy (photo). The school had mostly children/wards of Sierra Leonean refugees in the Guinean capital. Pupils of CIA later planted a few trees in a symbolic exercise.

I am proud I was so actively involved in its conception and infancy. I am also proud of the membership and partners, especially founding folks like Mabel Gamanga - the only woman among us at the time; Mike Charles; Syl Samba (Ario); Joseph Tommy; Alhaji Kamara and Alhaji Ahmed Turay and so many others. It would have been harder without the tolerance and understanding of the Model School administration. This was where then principal Mr. PJ Taylor (now deceased), vice-principal Ms. Amelia Georgestone and senior teacher Mr. OA Beury came in.

Photo: Many years ago in Conakry, Guinea, from left to right: CIA teacher and co-organizer Mohamed Kamara; PV’s Abayomi Charles Roberts, CIA principal Sahr Richard Takama and vice-principal MB Bah. Suaiabatu Wahab is at the podium.