On Wednesday 1st of October 2025, during an appearance on national television – GRTS, Prof Sidat Yaffa, Director of the University of the Gambia – UTG and the West Africa Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land use WASCAL Gambia Office update Good Morning Gambia programme about programs and activities under his leadership. He dilated on the PhD research program on climate change education which is fully sponsored by the WASCAL through the German government with 85% funding plus other supports. He reflected on the initiation of the program beginning with a masters of science MSc in 2014 before upgrading to a PhD in 2019. Prof Yaffa further highlighted the impact of the initiative, noting that a number graduates are now serving in critical sectors of the country economy and beyond. He said the third batch of the PhD students are starting their semester in October 2025.
Commenting of Research development initiatives, the WASCAL director cited the positivity of the REPGam project – Renewable Energy Potentials in the Gambia which has already provided solar street light to 17 beneficiary communities across the Central, Upper, North bank and the West coast regions. “The facilities are installed and tested and well verified by technicians from the WASCAL competence center” Prof Yaffa said. “in collaboration with the WASCAL Competence centre, criteria for selection of beneficiaries was developed to identify communities for the project. This is why Jarra Jabisa is selected as the only community to benefit from a mini grid system” he added. The project will be officially unveiled on the 27th October 2025 which will be attended by WASCAL officials and development partners, Prof Yaffa announced. He said negotiations are ongoing to secure the second phase of the project with the German government through BMFTR and the target is to reach out to additional 30 communities across the Gambia.
Speaking on other initiatives in Mandinka – a local dialect, was the Renewable Energy, Climate Change and Land Use Management in The Gambia (RECCLUM), a 2-year feasibility study which started in 2023 and nears its closure in the coming months. It conducted various activities during the period including supporting women gardeners and a cold storage facility at the project pilot demonstration site at Bulock west coast region. He briefly talked on the SHINE initiative with Bristol University, an Initiative working towards providing energy solutions through provision of cooking stoves as alternative for women.
Professor Yaffa concluded by explaining rationale behind his personal initiative on Climate education with Community Based Organisations such as Tumana Agency for Development (TAD). He emphasized “tree growing as means of mitigation towards climate change”.
