Our Team

The Atlantic Slave Memorial is a collaborative initiative led by a diverse group of changemakers dedicated to honoring the legacy of those affected by the transatlantic slave trade while advancing environmental and social justice. The concept was developed by Irish author and human rights advocate Don Mullan, and Gambian youth environmental leader and presidential candidate Kemo Fatty. Rooted in Africa and driven by African leadership, this initiative is supported by local communities, historians, environmental experts, and global partners committed to reforestation, climate action, and historical remembrance.

About Green up gambia

Green-Up Gambia is a leading environmental organization committed to climate change mitigation, sustainable development, and community-led conservation efforts. Since its establishment in 2016, the organization has played a pivotal role in restoring degraded landscapes, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and empowering local communities through climate awareness programs and large-scale tree planting initiatives.

Through our flagship initiative, the One Million Trees Campaign, which aligns with the African Union’s Great Green Wall Initiative, Green-Up Gambia has successfully planted over 140,000 trees, restoring 28 hectares of degraded land. These efforts have strengthened biodiversity, improved soil fertility, and enhanced climate resilience for local communities.

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A Community-Driven Restoration Approach

As part of this effort, Green-Up Gambia will collaborate with local communities in the Northern, Central, and Upper River Regions, positioning them as the primary stewards of restoration. By empowering these communities through education, training, and active participation, the project will drive long-term environmental sustainability while fostering local economic opportunities.

Key Strategies for Achieving the Atlantic Slave Memorial's Goals:

Coastal Restoration: Large-scale planting of coconut trees and other coastal vegetation to protect against erosion, enhance biodiversity, and support sustainable livelihoods.

Terrestrial Ecosystem Recovery: Reforesting degraded landscapes with indigenous tree species to restore ecological balance, improve soil health, and support agroforestry practices.

Wetland Conservation: Restoring mangrove forests along riverbanks and estuaries to safeguard marine biodiversity, improve fishery productivity, and strengthen climate resilience.

Community Empowerment: Engaging local communities through capacity-building programs, sustainable livelihood support, and conservation education to ensure long-term project sustainability.

Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with governmental agencies, international organizations, and research institutions to mobilize resources, expertise, and technical support.

A Vision for the Future

The Atlantic Slave Memorial is not just an environmental project—it is a living, breathing testament to history, resilience, and regeneration. By planting 18 million trees, we aim to heal both the land and the legacy of those who came before us, creating a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.

  • Kemo Fatty is a dedicated conservationist and a key advocate for the Great Green Wall Initiative. As the Founder & Executive Director of Green-Up Gambia, he champions environmental sustainability and community-driven conservation. Serving as a visionary conservationist and community leader, Kemo emphasizes local ownership as the cornerstone of successful climate action.

    Under his leadership, Green-Up Gambia plays a crucial role in protecting natural resources, holding governments accountable, and fostering eco-entrepreneurship within communities. His impactful interventions include preserving ecotourism parks and monitoring timber logging activities, ensuring sustainable land management. Kemo’s unwavering commitment to environmental justice and grassroots empowerment continues to drive meaningful change, reinforcing his influence on both regional and global sustainability efforts.

  • Dr. Omar Malmo Sambou is a highly regarded environmental scholar and advocate. With a Ph.D. (ABD), MSc, and BSc in Environmental Science/Natural Resources Management & Development, he brings extensive expertise to his roles as an accredited EIA expert, and a Sustainability Researcher. He is a Co-Founder at Green-Up Gambia and Head of Research and Consultancy. Dr. Sambou also serves as a climate change negotiator for the Republic of the Gambian at both SBI and COPs at the UNFCCC. He is a Lecturer at the University of The Gambia, where he inspires the next generation of environmental leaders.

  • Ebrima is a dedicated environmental leader and advocate for natural resource conservation committed to ecological restoration, sustainable development, and community empowerment. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of The Gambia and currently serves as the Administrative and Operations Manager of Green-Up Gambia, coordinating the organization’s mission of mitigating climate change, restoring degraded landscapes, and fostering environmental stewardship among Gambian communities. 

    He continues to be at the forefront of implementing key initiatives of Green-Up Gambia which primarily focus on reforestation, sustainable land use, and climate resilience. Under his leadership, Green-Up Gambia has successfully established and raised more than 14,000 trees as part of the climate circles project with 14 selected schools and local communities across 7 regions of the Gambia contributing to the amount of degraded land hectares restored by the organization.

  • Arabiatou Jallow is a passionate environmentalist with extensive volunteer experience in climate action and environmental protection, having worked with various civil society organizations (CSOs) dedicated to sustainability and conservation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of The Gambia, where she actively contributed to student-led environmental initiatives.

    Her dedication to leadership and climate advocacy has been recognized through prestigious awards and fellowships, including the TAF Leadership Academy Award and her selection as a SHE Climate Fellow in 2023, an honor highlighting her commitment to empowering women in climate action.

    Arabiatou joined Green-Up Gambia in 2021 as a volunteer, where she quickly distinguished herself through her dedication and impact. She later transitioned into the role of Program Assistant, where she worked for a year, supporting the organization's reforestation, climate education, and sustainability programs.

    Arabiatou continues to be a strong advocate for youth-led climate action, environmental justice, and community-driven conservation. Her work focuses on bridging policy and grassroots activism, ensuring that climate solutions are inclusive, practical, and transformative. She remains committed to empowering young people, especially women, to take leadership roles in climate resilience efforts, paving the way for a more sustainable and climate-conscious future.

  • Awa Bojang is a final-year Accountancy major at The University of The Gambia, combining her expertise in financial systems with a strong commitment to social and environmental causes. She is passionate about leveraging financial literacy and economic strategies to drive sustainability and climate action, ensuring that environmental initiatives are both financially viable and impactful. 


    As an intern at Green-Up Gambia, Awa plays a key role in budgeting and resource allocation for the organization’s environmental projects. She assists in ensuring efficient financial planning for initiatives such as tree planting, ecosystem restoration, and community engagement programs, contributing to the sustainability of Green-Up’s mission. Her work helps bridge the gap between financial accountability and environmental conservation, reinforcing the importance of fiscal responsibility in nonprofit and climate-related projects. 

    Through her leadership, advocacy, and academic expertise, Awa strives to be a catalyst for positive change. She envisions a future where finance and sustainability intersect, ensuring that businesses and environmental organizations adopt economically sound and environmentally friendly practices. Her goal is to bridge the gap between financial literacy and sustainable development, helping to shape a more resilient and greener future for The Gambia and beyond.

  • Kaddy is a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and animal welfare, driven by a deep-rooted commitment to nature. Inspired by her parents’ resilient agriculturalists from Kerewan in the North Bank Region, she has dedicated herself to bridging the gap between environmental conservation and animal health.

    Currently in her final year at the University of The Gambia, Kaddy is pursuing a degree in Environmental and Animal Sciences, a field in which she aspires to make a lasting impact. Her academic journey is complemented by hands-on experience in veterinary care, having served as a Veterinary Assistant for nine months at the Department of Livestock Services under the Ministry of Agriculture.

    Beyond her studies, Kaddy plays an active role in Green-Up Gambia, contributing significantly to the organization’s mission of fostering environmental awareness and action. Through her education, fieldwork, and community engagement, she continues to champion sustainable solutions that benefit both people and the planet.

    As she nears the completion of her university studies, Kaddy envisions a future where agriculture, veterinary sciences, and enviro

  • Ebrima is a dedicated educator, environmental advocate, and community leader committed to climate action, ecosystem restoration, and youth empowerment. With a deep passion for both education and environmental sustainability, he has devoted his career to teaching, volunteering, and mobilizing communities for climate resilience.

    Ebrima holds a Diploma and Advance Diploma in Education with specialties in Social & Environmental Studies and Physical Health Education enabling him to integrate environmental awareness, sustainability, and climate resilience into his lessons. Through education, he inspires young people to take an active role in protecting their environment and understanding the challenges of climate change.

    Beyond the classroom, Ebrima is deeply involved in environmental conservation efforts. He has been an active volunteer with Green-Up Gambia, a leading grassroots organization dedicated to climate change mitigation, reforestation, and community-driven conservation. Rising through the ranks, he now serves as Coordinator of Volunteers, where he leads teams in tree planting, mangrove restoration, and climate awareness campaigns across different regions of The Gambia.