People and the Environment

21/02/2026

21/02/2026

NPAA takes action against illegal activity in Western Area Peninsula National Park

The NPAA has arraigned 23 people in York Magistrate’s Court for offences inside the Western Area Peninsula National Park. Of 43 people arrested during recent operations, two — Momoh Bangura and Lamin Deinkeh — pleaded guilty to entering a protected area and deforestation under Section 7 of the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972, and are awaiting sentencing. The remaining 21 defendants pleaded not guilty; the case is adjourned to Tuesday, 24 February 2026. All suspects have been remanded. The NPAA reiterates its commitment to protecting the park and urges the public to report illegal activity.

For People N D Environment
Fudiya Bangura
Magic TV

18/02/2026

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29/01/2026

PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Only on MAGIC TV SL – Channel 38

Join us every Friday from 5:00 – 6:00 PM** for an insightful and educative programme that focuses on the relationship between people and their environment.

Host: Cornelius Eku Randall
Guest: David Joseph Allieu
Executive Director, CAN-SL

Topic:
Climate Change and Its Impacts

Climate change is real, and its effects are already being felt in our communities. Don’t miss this important discussion as experts break down the causes, impacts, and what we can all do to protect our environment for future generations.
LIVE on: Facebook: *Magictvsl*
MAGIC TV SL – Channel 38

Tune in, learn, and be part of the conversation for a better and sustainable Sierra Leone.

27/01/2026

*National Protected Area Authority arrests 11 for illegal charcoal burning and Deforestation*

*By Communications & Outreach Unit NPAA*

The operations team of the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), led by Ranger One Ishaka Lamin Sesay, under the direct supervision of the newly Executive Director Alhaji Ahmed S Tunis has arrested 11 people in connection with illegal deforestation and charcoal burning, at Western Area peninsula National Park, the Authority confirmed today.

The suspects were detained and are currently being held at the Lumley Police Station while investigations continue. Officers of NPAA also confiscated several bags of charcoal at the scene.

D. L. Bangura, Esq., Law Enforcement and compliance Manager at the NPAA, said the Authority will press charges against those arrested and that the matter will be taken to court. Further legal action will follow the completion of the police investigation.

The NPAA said the arrests form part of ongoing enforcement efforts is to protect the western area national park’s remaining forests from illegal logging and unsustainable charcoal production. Charcoal burning is a major driver of deforestation and can have serious environmental and social consequences, the Authority noted.

Investigations remain ongoing, and NPAA officials urged members of the public to report suspected illegal activities in protected areas especially the water catchment area to help safeguard the country’s natural resources.

20/01/2026

Parliament Approves Alhaji Ahmed Tunis as Executive Director of National Protected Area Authority

By Cornelius Eku Randall

Parliament has approved the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Tunis as Executive Director of the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), confirming a designation made earlier by His Excellency Brigadier (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Bio. The appointment is effective on the 20th January 2026.

The President named Mr. Tunis to the post subject to parliamentary endorsement; that endorsement was secured in the most recent sitting, on the 20th January 2026, enabling him to assume full responsibilities for leading the authority’s work across Sierra Leone’s network of protected areas.

The NPAA is charged with the management, conservation and sustainable use of the country’s protected areas, including national parks, game reserves and other designated conservation sites. The Executive Director is responsible for guiding policy implementation, coordinating on-the-ground management and law enforcement, overseeing community engagement and partnerships, and mobilizing resources for biodiversity protection and sustainable tourism initiatives.

With the parliamentary approval now complete, Mr. Tunis will oversee efforts to conserve wildlife and habitats, strengthen protected-area governance, and promote community-inclusive approaches that balance conservation with livelihoods in buffer zones. Key operational priorities for the NPAA typically include improving monitoring and protection of species and ecosystems, enhancing ranger capacity and infrastructure, expanding community outreach and benefit-sharing mechanisms, and attracting sustainable financing and technical partnerships.

As Executive Director, Mr. Tunis will work with government ministries, local communities, civil society organizations and international partners to advance Sierra Leone’s conservation objectives and to promote the sustainable development opportunities presented by well-managed protected areas.

21/12/2025

*National Protected Area Authority wins two awards — from UK-based Diaspora Forum and journalists’ body*

The National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) has received two national accolades recognizing its work in conservation and stakeholder engagement, an award from a UK-based Diaspora Forum group and a separate award presented by a journalists’ association in December 2025. The executive director accepted the honours on behalf of the Authority and said the recognition underscores the organization’s commitment to protecting the country’s protected areas through partnerships and transparency.

The Diaspora Forum award, presented by a UK-based community of expatriates, cited the NPAA’s efforts to engage the diaspora in conservation funding, knowledge exchange and advocacy. The Diaspora Forum highlighted the Authority’s initiatives to involve nationals abroad in park restoration projects and support for community-led livelihoods adjacent to protected areas.

In December 2025 the NPAA also received an award from a national journalists’ group in recognition of its openness and collaboration with the media. The journalists’ body praised the Authority for improving access to information about park management, anti-poaching operations and community outreach programmes, saying these steps had enhanced public understanding of conservation challenges.

Accepting the awards, NPAA Executive Director Mr Thomas Fayia Kamara thanked both the awarding organizations and the Authority’s staff and partners. “These honours belong to the staff , rangers, community partners and all those who work tirelessly in our protected areas,” Mr Thomas Fayia Kamara said. “We are grateful to the diaspora for their continued support and to the press for holding us accountable and helping tell the story of conservation. Recognition like this motivates us to redouble our efforts to protect biodiversity while supporting local communities.”

The executive director added that the awards will strengthen the NPAA’s ability to attract partnerships and resources needed to scale up successful conservation models. He reiterated the Authority’s priorities for the coming year: strengthening anti-poaching patrols, expanding community-based conservation programmes, improving park infrastructure, and increasing collaboration with international partners, including diaspora networks and the media.

The NPAA, which manages the country’s network of national parks and protected area and reserves, has in recent years emphasized community engagement and transparency as central to long-term conservation success. Officials said the twin awards reflect growing recognition at home and abroad of the Authority’s approach and signal increased public and stakeholder confidence in its work.

Community leaders and conservation partners welcomed the announcements, saying the awards provide a timely morale boost and an opportunity to showcase positive outcomes from joint conservation efforts. The NPAA has invited partners, donors and members of the public to a forthcoming ceremony to celebrate the recognitions and outline concrete next steps.

*Outreach & Communications unit NPAA*

01/11/2025

❗❗❗❗❗❗❗❗❗❗❗❗
THE NATIONAL PROTECTED AREA AUTHORITY (NPAA)CONTINUES TO COLLABORATE WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS TO STRENGTHEN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN SIERRA LEONE.

The National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) is currently taking part in a two-week seminar on Nature Reserve Construction for Developing Countries in Beijing, the People's Republic of China, which is organised by the National Academy of Forestry and Grassland Administration (NAFGA) with support from the Ministry of Commerce, and facilitated by the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone.

The seminar is convened to support developing countries in expanding their knowledge of nature reserve construction, biodiversity conservation, nature reserve management, and sustainable development.
The event brings together experts, researchers, and policymakers to share knowledge and best practices in conservation and sustainable development.

It provides a platform for experts and practitioners from developing countries, facilitating the exchange of ideas and experiences to share research findings, innovations, and best practices in nature reserve construction and management.

The seminar will help build capacity and enhance skills in nature reserve construction, conservation, and sustainable development.

With his determination to strengthen biodiversity conservation in line with the vision of HE Julius Madaa Bio, the Executive Director, Thomas Fayia Kamara, is actively involved in engaging national and international partners to continue their support for conservation through capacity-building, logistical, financial and technical support to promote the attainment of the Authority’s mandate.

14/10/2025

*NPAA, CTF and Legal Experts Gather to Tighten Protected Areas Governance*

*Cornelius Eku Randall*

The National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) and the Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) on Monday 13th October 2025 opened a five-day expert retreat at Galliness Paradise BO to review and strengthen the draft regulation governing Sierra Leone’s protected areas.

The retreat brings together a multidisciplinary team of legal and conservation specialists to examine the draft regulatory framework, with the aim of improving governance, compliance, law enforcement and sustainable financing for the country’s protected areas. Participants include senior legal and enforcement figures such as Tamba Sangbah Esq., Director of Legal Affairs and Compliance at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Ibrahim Tholley Esq., State Counsel North West; Elvis Enoh Esq., Legal Consultant to NPAA & CTF; and Dauda Laingay Bangura Esq., Law Enforcement Manager, NPAA, among others.

In his opening remarks, NPAA Executive Director Mr. Thomas Fayia Kamara stressed the urgency of finalizing robust enforceable regulations that will strengthen protected-area management and protect Sierra Leone’s biodiversity. He highlighted the importance of clear legal instruments in enabling effective protection, support and coordination with local communities, and attracting sustainable financing.

Reading the statement of Mr. Martin Foday, Executive Chairman of the CTF, Mr Samuel Kobba underscored the role of sound regulation in unlocking long-term funding mechanisms and partnerships that will ensure the viability of conservation investments. The Director of Legal & Compliance at the EPA also addressed the gathering, outlining the EPA’s commitment to working with NPAA, CTF and state legal authorities to ensure the draft regulation aligns with national laws and international best practices.

The retreat will combine technical legal review sessions, stakeholder consultations and practical discussions on enforcement, community engagement and financing modalities. The working group aims to produce a set of recommended revisions and an implementation roadmap from the retreat to guide final drafting and government adoption.

The event represents a coordinated push by NPAA & CTF to bolster the legal and operational framework for protected areas at a time when biodiversity protection and climate resilience are growing national priorities. Participants hope the outcomes will accelerate effective protection of critical habitats while balancing the needs and rights of communities that depend on natural resources.

06/09/2025

*WAM Collegiate school Build up its 115th anniversary with tree‑planting drive*

*By Cornelius Eku Randall*

6 September 2025 — WAM Collegiate School continued building up it celebrations of its 115th anniversary today with a community tree‑planting exercise aimed at beautifying the school environs and promoting environmental stewardship. Eucalyptus species was planted.

Representing the key sponsors of the anniversary, Mr. Brima Dumbuya, Head of Mining and Marketing at Sierra Leone Commercial, delivered a short statement and helped plant a tree. He commended the school for linking its milestone celebration with a lasting green legacy. “This is more than a gesture,” Mr. Dumbuya said. “By planting trees today we invest in a healthier learning environment for current and future generations.”

The event saw active participation from the school’s leadership and planning committee. Dr. Koroma and Mr. Kargbo, Principal and Vice‑Principal respectively of the Senior School, each planted a sapling as part of the activity. Rev. Babatunde Thomas, chairman of the planning committee, and committee members Christopher Sawyer and Fadipeh Thomas also took part in the planting.

Edwina Tunner, representing the Committee of parent and Teachers’ Association, joined staff members in placing trees across designated sites around the campus. Organizers said the species selected are suitable for the local climate and were chosen to provide shade, improve air quality, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the school grounds as trees mature.

School officials described the planting exercise as one element of a wider programme of events commemorating the institution’s 115 years of service to education. Beyond the symbolic act of planting, the initiative is intended to raise awareness among students about environmental protection and sustainable practices.

“We want our pupils not only to remember the history of this school but to be active stewards of the environment,” said a school representative. “These trees will be a living reminder of our commitment to both education and the community.”

The school plans to continue monitoring and caring for the newly planted trees through teacher‑led stewardship teams and student involvement to ensure saplings take root and thrive in the years ahead.

05/09/2025

WAM Collegiate School to Host Tree-Planting Drive as Part of 115th Anniversary Build-Up

By Cornelius Eku Randall

WAM Collegiate School will hold a community tree-planting event on Saturday, 6 September 2025, at the school compound as part of activities leading up to its 115th Anniversary celebrations in 2026. The initiative will take place under the distinguished patronage of Mr. Festus Sowa, Deputy Managing Director of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.

Organizers say the event aims to beautify the school environment, increase green cover on campus, and engage students, staff, alumni and neighbours in a hands-on environmental stewardship activity. The drive also forms part of the school’s broader anniversary programme to strengthen community ties and promote sustainability education among pupils.

The one-day activity will include planting of indigenous shade and ornamental trees, brief demonstrations on tree care and maintenance, and short remarks from school leaders and the event’s patron. Mr. Festus Sowa’s patronage highlights the partnership between education and the banking sector in supporting community and environmental initiatives.

School officials stressed that the project is intended to have lasting benefits: improved air quality, increased biodiversity around the campus, shaded outdoor learning areas and a living legacy for future generations of students. “This is a practical step toward creating a healthier, greener environment for our pupils while marking a significant milestone in the school’s long history,” the school’s planning committee said.

The event is expected to draw participation from students, teaching and administrative staff, alumni, parents and local residents. Volunteers are encouraged to bring gardening gloves and water bottles; the school will supply seedlings, tools and refreshments. Those interested in supporting or volunteering can contact WAM Collegiate School’s administration for further details.

As communities worldwide respond to climate change with local actions, the WAM Collegiate School tree-planting drive offers a timely example of how schools can lead by example—combining education, heritage and environmental responsibility in anticipation of the school’s 115th anniversary next year.