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RCBank Celebrates 5th Anniversary of Tree Planting Project, Emphasizing Environmental Stewardship


On Thursday, June 6th, 2024, RCBank celebrated the 5th anniversary of its Tree Planting Project at Petifu Kangalop, Masiaka, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability.

The event, which drew hundreds of guests and community residents, was themed: “Plant More Trees, So That the Next Generation Can Get Air for Free.”

RCBank Limited has continually demonstrated its dedication to protecting and preserving the environment. The Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Emmanuel E. Borbor, highlighted the bank’s responsibility to integrate with and support the communities in which it operates. “Planting trees improves the air quality for humans to breathe and prevents heavy winds from causing destruction,” Borbor stated. “Tree planting is universal and the cleanest form of agriculture. Anyone can start tree planting as it requires minimal capital.” He encouraged the community to join the initiative, emphasizing the myriad benefits of tree planting. Borbor also appealed for additional land to expand the project further.



Neneh Tunis, CEO of Keeping Hope Alive, underscored the dual importance of planting and maintaining trees. “It is one thing to plant trees, but challenging to maintain them,” she remarked. “Tree planting also provides job creation for locals and mitigates the effects of climate change. We must all work together to create a sustainable and resilient environment.”

Paramount Chief of Petifu Kangalop, Masiaka, PC Bai Kompra Bomboli III, spoke about the origins of the project, initiated by his father in collaboration with RCBank. “We will never stop planting trees,” he affirmed. He addressed the challenges faced by local communities, including the demand for charcoal. “The demand for charcoal in the capital, Freetown, drives local deforestation. I urge the government to provide alternative fuel sources, like gas, to reduce reliance on charcoal.” He pledged continued collaboration with RCBank and vowed to educate the populace on climate change. He commended RCBank’s dedication and promised to allocate more land for the initiative.

Ambrose Bindi, head of Tree Crop at the Ministry of Agriculture, delivered the keynote address. Bindi commended RCBank for its contribution to environmental conservation. He underscored the importance of tree planting in supporting food security initiatives, urging widespread participation in the Feed Salone project. “The stomach does not belong to a party of color, so it is important that everyone supports the Feed Salone project,” he said. He praised RCBank and Neneh Tunis for their contributions to tree planting, a crucial element in combating climate change. Bindi highlighted that the initiative by RCBank is part of a global effort and stated, “It’s commendable for a bank to engage in such an important venture.”

Madam Shola Taylor Pearce, Executive Secretary of the Sierra Leone Association of Commercial Banks, congratulated RCBank on behalf of all 13 managing directors. “Five years ago, I planted a tree here, and today it is taller than me. This symbolizes the power of a seed and the importance of roots, much like RCBank’s roots in this initiative,” she stated. “Together everyone achieves more, and that is what our association stands for.”

The celebration was climaxed by the planting of 30 trees by dignitaries and both senior and junior staff of RCBank, symbolizing their continued commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

The vote of thanks was given by Mrs. Mariama Jajua, Head of Marketing, Business Development, and Corporate Affairs, who acknowledged and appreciated all guests, community members, and staff of RCBank for supporting this wonderful initiative.

RCBank – The Bank of Choice!



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RCBank Celebrates 4th Anniversary of Its Tree Planting Project


In its strive to become a green friendly Bank, RCBank celebrated its 4th anniversary of their Tree Planting Project at Petifu Kangalop, Masiaka on 27th July, 2023.

RCBank Limited is committed towards protecting and preserving the environment.
The theme for this year’s celebration which attracted hundreds of guests and Community residents is: “Plant more trees, keep your environment pollution-free.”



The Chief Executive Officer /Founder of Shout Climate Change Africa (SCCA) Finnex John Asibor, recognizes RCBank Sierra Leone as one of the corporate institutions that have made conscious efforts to protect the environment.

Speaking on the rationale behind the Tree Planting Project, Managing Director Dr. Ekundayo Gilpin states “Because of the increase human pressure on the natural resources that includes mining, charcoal burning, firewood, illicit logging etc, that are harmful to the environment which leave the country to susceptible drought and excessive heat, I thought of this soundly and contacted my team members to embark on tree planting project that will alleviate the susceptible risk to the environment. We leased the land and partnered with Keeping Hope Alive (KHA) for the cleaning, maintenance, monitoring the health of trees and ensuring a friendly environment and for KHA to also advise us on key matters pertaining to the health and maintenance of the trees.

The tree planting project and arrangements initially started in early weeks of June, 2019 and because of the arrangements to get dignitaries, the first tree planting exercise commenced on the 5th of July 2019 after the clearing, cleaning and erection of our signpost and billboards.

The first tree planting exercise was colorful, memorable and remarkable with the presence of several dignitaries, and today we are thinking of them for their great contribution towards the success of this project, though most people that were present at that time are also here with us. However, there will also come a time when, some other people will remember us for our own contributions”

He further revealed that following the successful launch of the tree planting project in 2019, management discussed and agreed that the second phase should be “stop and plan a tree” that will encourage commuters to alight and walk to the site and plant a seedling, and that was schedule for a week, starting 22nd January 2020 till Friday 25th January, 2020. As this was seen as the first anniversary, the program was also a success to the drive and objectives of the bank.

He added that they have plans to construct a Botanical Garden at the site that will showcase wildlife, rare species and a better knowledge of the world at large. He called on Sierra Leoneans to be united like the Pine Trees in North America. He described the trees to be very tall with roots about 2ft down with interconnected roots underground that make them resistant to wind, storms, flood because they connect orderly. Pine Trees are easily recognized by most people, and very successful in maintaining solid and valuable stands.

Madam Lovetta Yatta Juana representing the Environmental Protection Agency Congratulates RCBank together with keeping Hope Alive for this great initiative. She emphasized the importance of the Tree Planting Project to Climate Change. She confirmed that Sierra Leone is a party to the Paris agreement that requires the members to make efforts to reduce the greenhouse gas in the country.

Representative of all the 14 commercial Bank’s in the country, Madam Shola Taylor Pierce, Congratulates RCBank on behalf of all the13 Managing Directors. She encapsulates that “The Message today is thank RCBank because they have placed a very good seed on the ground. 4 years ago I was here and the tree I planted is now taller than me. The power of a seed is what our MD spoke about – the Pine Tree, tall as it is; its roots never go deep down because the roots are intertwined. Together everyone achieving much and; that is what Sierra Leone Association of Commercial Bank is all about, headed by your very own MD Dr. Walton E. Gilpin”

Mrs. Jajua, Head of RCBank Marketing Unit, thanked the Invitees, security forces, Keeping Hope Alive Community, Residents and Staff of RCBank . She acknowledged that without their efforts the Project will not be successful.

The tree planting project would be a positive way of making the right impact in this area for people living in this community, that will not only benefit the people of this vicinity, but also those that are using this route and those coming to visit the site. The project is also parts of RCBank efforts to protect our planet  and commitment to reduce the Carbon Foot print in the Environment.

 





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