On the 17th February 2025, as part of his continuous community engagements in particular rural Gambia, Professor Sidat Yaffa embarked on a daylong awareness forum with farmers both men and women of Kaur Touray Kunda Village, Lower Saloum District, Central River Region of The Gambia. Primarily the discussions focused on climate change, food security, and renewable energy as farmers and communities in that region continue to live in despair on the impacts of climate change. The area is recorded to be a center of agricultural production and marketing since pre-independence period. However the magnitude of climate change impacts and soil fertility levels has reduce agricultural activities in the area. “We as researchers of the university of the Gambia are tirelessly working to find workable solutions that you and Myself as farmers to adopt so that we can reduce the impacts of climate change on our lives and livelihoods” prof Yaffa quoted saying during the meeting. He highlighted the Renewable Energy Potential in the Gambia (REPGAM) project as one of the initiatives underway by the UTG/WASCAL initiative while commending donors partners BMBF Germany.
In the month of March, Tumana Agency for Development (TAD) a local based NGO in the upper river region recognizing the efforts of Prof Sidat Yaffa in promoting community development adopted him as the Agency’s “GOODWILL AMBASSADOR”. This came on the heels of vigorous sensitization and awareness creation forums championed by Prof Yaffa in both the central river and upper river regions under the auspices of TAD. During the occasion Prof Yaffa still remind the gathering about the dangers climate change poses to food security. He also spoke at length about efforts to promote the use of renewable energy thus reducing the dependence on forest resources especially woods.
Similar activity was also held for a women group in Sinchu Alagie Town, West Coast Region of the Gambia. It was in partnership with Network of Women Associations of The Gambia (NOWA) which was held 13th April 2025. NOWA President, Mrs. Sarjo Jallow thanked Prof Yaffa for the partnership noting his commitment to build the capacities of women in skills acquisition and other livelihood ventures. She also highlighted the need for women to understand the relationship between climate change renewable energy and food security under a changing climate. Prof Yaffa returned gratitude to NOWA for reaching out to him for a partnership that would improve the live of women saying he will help facilitate programmes that improve their living standards.
Another major groundbreaking event took place at Kuwonku Village, Sandu District, Upper River Region of The Gambia. A day that coincided with the birthday celebration of Prof Yaffa, a women group who adopted him as Honorary Father surprised him with a cake and wished him long life and good health for the immense work he continues to do for the women of the area. The celebration later turned to a climate change and agriculture session as women listen keenly when prof Yaffa started explaining the nexus between the former and the latter.