BY: MOHAMED SAHR
In the bid of attracting tourists as well embracing the Easter festive period, Pessima Foundation in collaboration with partners has undergone an exhibiting strength in the cleaning exercise of the Lumley and Aberdeen Beach on Saturday 16th April, 2022.
Osman Kanu, volunteer and member of Pessima Foundation said the foundation is a non-charitable organisation that has immensely contributed in facilitating goodwill projects across the country. Admitting that the foundation in collaboration with the National Tourist Board Sierra Leone, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Unisa Mental Health Services has gathered active men and women to voluntarily enhance the cleaning of the Lumley and Aberdeen Beaches, as it has been one of their core mandates.
He said in place of the Easter break of which the country would witness tourists from different part of the world who also would be visiting most of the beaches in Sierra Leone especially the Lumley and Aberdeen beaches respectively. Noting that they deem it fit to embark on such exercise, as it would send positive feedback to visitors and citizens by extension. ‘’The Tourist Board has been magnanimous enough to accord us with tools,’’ he said.
Osman Kanu stated that the foundation would strive to consider as to whether they would make the cleaning exercise habitual. He felt happy for embarking on such exercise by Pessima Foundation. He urged Sierra Leoneans to always keep the beaches clean and healthy.
Mohamed Bah, Planning and Development Assistant at the National Tourist Board under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs said the venture taking by the Pessima Foundation has been the Minister’s clarion call for different organisations seeing the need to associate with the National Tourist Board in helping to beautify and cleaning of the beaches. He said although tourism would bring economic growth in the country, yet still there have been back and forth challenges in terms of finance, tools, equipment and man-power.
He revealed that the cleaning exercise, which Pessima Foundation has undertaken, would keep creating awareness for other organisations to emulate such gesture. ‘’The Pessima Foundation coming here to clean the beach is sending a very high signal to other organisations to come on board,’’ Mohamed Bah said.
He said in order to maintain share responsibilities with Pessima Foundation; National Tourist Board has provided tools, equipment and man-power to expedite the cleaning exercise.
He admonished Sierra Leoneans and beach frequenters to stop littering and always uphold the love of the country thereby putting Sierra Leone first. Adding that throwing trashes along the beach areas would not send good message to tourists.
Joseph Sapunka Turay, Assistant Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said one of the mandates of EPA gears towards protecting Sierra Leone’s environment in ensuring healthy living condition for the people. He applauded the outstanding step taking by Pessima Foundation in keeping the beaches clean and conducive, adding that EPA has been firmed in the protection of the ecosystem.
He averred that keeping the environmental clean particularly the beach would amplify the communal relationship between man and nature as well facilitates the growth of biodiversity. Joseph Sapunka Turay said littering the beach would have ripple effects on marine ecosystem. He encouraged people to keep the environment clean and maintain the healthy scenery.
Osman Berec Sesay, volunteer of the Pessima Foundation said Sierra Leoneans should serve as an agent for change in terms of keeping the beaches clean and beautiful. As a volunteer, he said beaches are part of the natural treasure Sierra Leone can be proud of unlike other countries. He said the initiative taking by the Pessima Foundation would serve as a skateboard for others.
