People and the Environment

17/06/2026

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

Join us on Friday for another edition of the program at 5:00pm GMT

11/06/2026

By Fudia Bangura

The National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), in collaboration with Conservation International, on Tuesday 9th June 2026 launched a Sierra Leone chapter of the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) at Family Kingdom. The inaugural meeting — held under the theme “United for healthy mangroves, Resilient communities, Sustainable future” — brought together government officials, district leaders, conservation practitioners and community representatives from across the country.

Professor Dr. Okonor Williams chaired the programme. In his opening remarks he drew attention to the degraded state of some local sites, saying the Aberdeen Creek “is nothing to write home about,” and pointing to Senegal as an example of a country that has made notable progress in mangrove management. His comments underscored calls from several speakers for stronger local stewardship and improved restoration efforts.

Deputy Executive Director of the NPAA, Dwight Z. K. Sheriff, delivered the NPAA’s opening statement, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to protecting and restoring Sierra Leone’s mangrove ecosystems. He emphasized the role of coordinated national action and multi-stakeholder partnerships to safeguard the coastal wetlands that underpin livelihoods, biodiversity and climate resilience.

Representing Conservation International, Mathias Okoku, Financial Director for West & Central Africa, reiterated his organisation’s support for the new national chapter. Okoku highlighted the importance of combining scientific guidance, finance and community engagement to scale up protection and sustainable use of mangroves across Sierra Leone.

Madam Yatta Kamara, Wetlands Manager at the NPAA, presented an overview of the Global Mangrove Alliance , outlining its vision, focus areas and guiding principles — and described how the Sierra Leone chapter will align national priorities with the Alliance’s global strategy.

District and local leaders used the forum to present priorities and concerns from their areas. Speakers included Mohamed Mansaray, Kambia District Council Chairman; Sorie Gbawuru Sillah, Chief Administrator of Moyamba District Council; Paramount Chief Alikali Melos Opapa III of Bekeh, Loko; Robert Browne, Deputy Chairman Ward C; Moses Haward, Environmental Officer, Bonthe District Council; and Kemo Massaquoi representing the Freetown City Council.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a national chapter communique by attending stakeholders, setting out shared commitments for mangrove protection, restoration and community-based management. Deputy Minister of the Environment, Hon. Mima Yema Mimi Sobba-Stephens formally declared the Sierra Leone Chapter established and urged continued collaboration among government agencies, development partners and local communities.

Participants said the new chapter will focus on scaling restoration, improving legal and policy coordination, strengthening community livelihoods linked to healthy mangrove ecosystems, and mobilizing resources for long-term conservation. The launch marks a step toward a coordinated national response to conserve Sierra Leone’s coastal wetlands amid growing development and climate pressures.

07/05/2026

Management priorities for Western Area Peninsula Park outlined by NPAA Executive Director

By Cornelius Eku Randall

National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) Executive Director Shiek Ahmed Tunis today addressed rangers at the NPAA headquarters to set out management priorities for the Western Area Peninsula Park and to galvanize field staff for intensified protection and stewardship of the park.

Speaking to frontline rangers who patrol one of the country’s most ecologically and socially important protected areas, Director Tunis emphasized a pragmatic, results-oriented approach that balances law enforcement, habitat restoration, community partnerships, and sustainable visitor management. He urged rangers to remain professional and safety-conscious while implementing a coordinated plan to strengthen biodiversity protection and improve visitor experience.

Key management priorities presented by the Executive Director include:

• Strengthened anti-poaching and law enforcement: increase coordinated patrols, intelligence sharing with law enforcement partners, improved evidence collection and chain-of-custody procedures, and use of data to target hotspots.
• Habitat and species conservation: accelerate habitat restoration and invasive species control in degraded zones, strengthen monitoring of key species, and expand ecological surveys to inform adaptive management.
• Community engagement and co-management: deepen partnerships with neighboring communities through livelihood support, environmental education, conflict-resolution mechanisms, and inclusive decision-making to reduce encroachment and promote local stewardship.
• Climate resilience and disaster preparedness: integrate climate risk assessments into park planning, improve fire prevention and response capacity, and protect coastal and montane ecosystems vulnerable to changing conditions.
• Ranger wellbeing, training and equipment: expand professional development in patrol tactics, first aid, wildlife monitoring and human-wildlife conflict mitigation; ensure adequate personal protective equipment, communications, and transport logistics.
• Science, monitoring and data-driven management: standardize monitoring protocols, invest in data management systems, and partner with research institutions to evaluate interventions and guide policy.
• Governance and transparency

Director Tunis stressed that these priorities would be translated into specific operational targets for the coming 12 months, with clear responsibilities, timelines and performance indicators. He called on rangers to report frontline challenges candidly so leadership can respond with targeted support.

“We must protect the park not only for its wildlife but for the people who depend on it and for future generations,” Tunis said. “Our strategy will rely on disciplined patrols, strong community ties, sound science and the right tools for our teams on the ground.”

Welfare is a priority he stated for all rangers and all staff. He promised that salaries are been looked into and that will be of the past soon.

NPAA management announced plans for follow-up meetings at the field to refine action plans, assess equipment needs, and schedule targeted trainings. Rangers welcomed the directive as a timely reinforcement of priorities and said they expected greater coordination, resources and clear guidance to deliver effective protection across the Western Area Peninsula Park.

Questions and answers form part of the meeting.