Official Of Local NGO Wants Environmental Transformation, Protection Of Wetlands

By K. Ericson Sayee

 The Executive Director of the Hope for Nature Kids (HNKids), Harnon Whymah-Garbo, has underscored the urgent need for the preservation of Liberia's wetlands against massive misuse and destruction. 

Madam Whymah-Garbo said misuse of wetlands over the years has not only resulted in serious environmental issues but also resulted in health-related crises and environmental degradation, urging the government to take drastic, coordinated actions to protect the safety of wetlands.

Speaking Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the Organization's Fund Raiser Award and Dinner Ceremony at the City of God International Church in the Duport Road, Shara Community, outside Monrovia, Madam Whymah-Garbo believes that wetlands, with its heartwarming impact could be used as sites for tourist attraction and other potential purposes that could possibly earn the country millions of dollars in revenue generation.

According to the HNKids's Executive Director, the government should consider establishing stringent regulations for the effective supervision of disposal of garbage in wetlands as random garbage disposal by citizens, adding that efforts towards such may save Liberia from potentially dangerous environmental hazards. 

She pointed to the stockpile of garbage at several designated locations around Monrovia and its suburbs as areas of concerns that require immediate action.

Meanwhile, Madam Whymah-Garbo urged citizens to join hands with the government to keep Monrovia clean, green and attractive for their own health and wellness, stating, "Preserving nature is everyone's business, so let's rally to keep our wetlands from environmental issues".

She added that the promotion of nature must be done through working with kids to develop human and natural habitat, research, project development, and implementation, which her organization is particularly concerned with.

According to her, through the Hope for Nature Kids, which has been closely engaged with schools, young conservationists and environmentalists will be raised in Liberia.

To establish nature and e-clubs at selected schools in Liberia, Madam Whymah-Garbo believes environmentalists will become prepared from an early stage.

 Madam Whymah-Garbo sees behavior change as a necessary tool to address the impact of the environmental crisis faced by Liberia.

At the same time, Madam Whymah-Garbo noted that climate change education will create an impact and motivate children.

She then expressed hope that these children will serve as change makers when they grow with the knowledge and concept of keeping the environment clean.

Hope for Nature Kids, a local non-for-profit civil society organization was established in 2019 with the aim of introducing conservation to younger children aged 3-17 years in Liberia, especially those with limited or no knowledge and sparing sense of nature and the need to create awareness to keep the environment clean, green and healthy.