At 4; ECoDAs Renews Commitment to Improve Community Livelihoods, Fight Against Biodiversity Loss

The Environment and Community Development Association (ECoDAs) has renewed its commitment to continue improving the livelihoods of local communities while fighting against biodiversity loss and climate change in Cameroon. The President & CEO of ECoDAs, Mr. Tansi Godwill Tansi, expressed this commitment, August 13, 2022, during the 4^th anniversary celebration of the Organization at the Ban’Bingoe Hotel in Melong, in Moungo Division, Littoral Region of Cameroon.

Speaking during the anniversary celebration, the President &CEO of the ECoDAs expressed gratitude to all supporters responsible for the growth of the organization. “…the evolution of ECoDAs into the present organization was inevitable with the participation of many enthusiastic scientists and both national and international nature-lovers. Thus, our achievements are the product of the hard work and dedication of many people” Tansi stated.

The ECoDAs boss expressed appreciation and attributed the successes of the organization within the last 4 years to the support of the Programme for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the South West Region (PSMNR-SWR), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Idea Wild – USA, The Pollination Project – USA, the Global Greengrants Fund, the Arcus Foundation, New England Biolabs Foundation, and the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary.  Mr. Tansi was particularly grateful for the support and collaboration of traditional authorities, the ECoDAs team, local communities, and other civil society organizations like CAMGEW, SUHUCAM, AFRINET, CIRMAD, and CAEPA, in the implementation of projects.

The vision bearer of ECoDAs sheded light on the 5-year perspective of the organization to be captured in a five-year strategic plan, underscoring the need for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. “Everyone is familiar with the negative fall-out of climate change. I think we have wrongly taken Mother Nature’s bounty for granted and as unlimited.  It is time for everyone to work together to protect the planet – for ourselves and for the future generations who will live with the consequences of the choices we make today,” Tansi said.

Community members around the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, on their part, expressed gratitude to ECoDAs for its impact in their lives within the last 4 years expressed delight in the activities of the NGO in villages at the vicinity of over the years. “From Ediengo to Edikang, we are thankful for the work ECoDAs and its partners have done for the people and we plead that as the organization continues to grow, they should not forget us,” His Royal Majesty the Chief of Ediengo village, Chief Mboussoum Maurice, stated. The Banyue Cluster Platform Chairperson, Mr. Etati Pius Edoung was particularly grateful for the successful installation of 22 piggery farms with over 220 improved breeds of piglets for repentant poachers and the establishment of multipurpose nurseries in the cluster communities by ECoDAs and partners; BMWS, PSMNR and WWF.

According to WWF Landscape Officer for Bakossi Banyang-Mbo, Mr. Ngueping Samuel, “ECoDAs has not only succeeded in sustaining local livelihoods and protecting wildlife, itis equally conquering the heart of the communities…”. The WWF Landscape Advisor, Mr. Mor Anchankap Bakia, expressed satisfaction of the outcome of the partnership between WWF and ECoDAs. He reminded ECoDAs of her responsibilities in biodiversity conservation and community development and counseled the Organization on best practices in fundraising, and human and material resource mobilization that are necessary for its sustainability.

Mr. Souleman Moussa and Mr. Oyah Smith, Eco-guards serving at the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary commended the collaboration ECoDAs has had with them in executing projects in the community and Sanctuary for the past four years.

ECoDAs is a Cameroon-based non-profit Organization legalized on August 13, 2018. The Organization seeks to advance community-based, sustainable solutions that conserve biodiversity and improve the livelihoods of the poorest of the poor while bolstering socio-economic development and addressing climate change.

By Ndimuh B. Shancho