Award-winning climate activist Sevidzem Ernestine Leikeki, who recently defended a thesis on beekeeping in Mayodale in the Northern region, has earned a Master’s degree in Rural Development and Administration from the Bamenda University of Science and Technology (BUST). She proposes that widespread beekeeping and increased production are key climate solutions.
Leikeki emphasizes that beekeeping is an ancient practice prevalent worldwide, including in both the Sahel and forested areas of Cameroon.
Leikeki's research, titled "the ecological and livelihood effects of bee keeping in Mayo Darle Adamawa Region of Cameroon," highlights the challenges of traditional beekeeping methods in regions like Mayodale. She notes that these methods have limitations, and her fieldwork encountered obstacles such as difficult access to rural areas, limited internet connectivity, and communication barriers with residents who have little formal education.
Educating locals on modern techniques, which could significantly increase output and income, is a daunting task that requires diplomacy and patience.
One important issue is unguarded bushfires that often destroy beehives and honey, leading to conflicts among locals. To address this, Leikeki suggests that beekeeping should not be limited to local farmers. She advocates for broader participation in beekeeping, the planting of more trees, the introduction of modern methods, and better education for rural populations.
To mitigate conflicts, she recommends that rural beekeepers work collaboratively to protect the ecosystem by preventing wildfires. According to Leikeki, healthy beekeeping practices contribute to a healthy ecosystem.
Born in 1985, Sevidzem Ernestine Leikeki is a renowned climate activist from Cameroon. She was recognized as one of the BBC 100 Women in 2021 for "women who create lasting change." As a climate and gender activist from the North-West region of Cameroon, she founded the Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch (CAMGEW). In 2010, she worked to combat child trafficking in North West Cameroon.
Leikeki attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021 and won the Gender Just Climate Solutions prize for transformational solutions in both 2019 and 2021.
By Nji Ignatius
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