Isoun extols the benefit of Great Green Wall

Isoun, who dedicated a chapter in his book, Why run before learning to walk, to the Great Green Wall, said the primary aim of the wall was to slow the advance of the Sahara desert and enhance economic sustainability of the degraded region.
Isoun said that the project, in the short term, would reduce the advance of the desert into the hinterlands, create wealth and get the public involved in a sustainable manner.
“The poverty which desert and desertification inflict on African countries is further exacerbated by unsustainable human activities, which are generally aggravated by climatic conditions on environment. That is why the GGW is needed to break the vicious circle of poverty and desertification,” he said.
He said the project was justified because of the consequences of desertification and the attendant issues on resource degradation in livelihood processes.
“The implementation of the GGW will enhance capacity development in Africa through an exchange of experience on good practices, with respect to reducing land degradation and desertification. A considerable amount of knowledge exists in the different countries in Africa, which the GGW could help to unlock for the benefit of governments, practitioners, schoo     ls and local communities,” he added.
The former minister said the GGW was an important project that should be supported by all as it would lead to the conservation of biological diversity, promote integrated natural resources management, and above all, create jobs.
He urged implementers of the GGW to be mindful of the population dynamics in the Sahel-Sahara area, adding that the trans-human activities of livestock herders may interfere with the re-afforestation and rehabilitation activities in the rangelands.
The successful implementation of the programme would therefore require the development coping mechanisms to climate variability and change phenomena and the need for a well thought out and integrated approach, he added.
“While many African countries recognise the need to tackle environmental challenges in order to attain sustainable economic and social development, this recognition is yet to be marched with political and policy commitment to that effect. The GGW project would need to overcome the usual approach of political leaders agreeing to a policy. They must ensure a sustained engagement of the political machinery of the countries involved,” Isoun noted.