By: Audrey Raymonda John
The National Protected Area Authority ( NPAA) with support from the EU-funded OKKPS Project, conducted a Judicial Procedure Training on Protected Area Management Laws for the Sustainable Management of the Outamba Kilimi National Park ((OKNP) from the 22nd – 26th August 2024, at the Kamakwie Community Centre, in the Karene District.
The workshop was attended by personnel of the Sierra Leone Police (Investigators, Prosecutors) from the North-West and North-East Regions, the Northern Region State Counsel, Magistrates, Office of National Security (ONS), Private Legal Practitioners, Local Courts Administrators, Karene District Council representatives, Game Guards and the Media.
Welcoming the Participants, the Law Enforcement Manager, NPAA, Dauda Laingay Bangura Esq., said the training was very important as it is the first judicial training within the Karene District organized by the NPAA. He encouraged all the Participants to exchange ideas with the other law enforcement actors around the OKNP.
He emphasised that the training was to support and strengthen the capacities of Sierra Leone Police Investigators, Prosecutors, and other judicial actors with the NPAA Act of 2022, the Wildlife Conservation Act of 1972, as amended, and the other related legislations.
Ibrahim H. Sheriff representing the Chairman Kerene District Council said that the Council is working strongly with the NPAA in protecting the OKNP. He further said that there is a department within the council responsible for environmental issues, which shows the commitment they attach to conservation and environmental management in the Karene District. He stated that he is very happy to welcome such training from NPAA in the District, and encouraged all to participate in good faith while promoting the good work of the Authority.
The Local Unit Commander (LUC), Kamakwie Police Division, Chief Superintendent Sheku Sankoh, admonished all the Prosecutors and Investigators to be attentive, as the training is designed to promote their work in the enforcement of law and the protection of national assets. He further informed the participants that because there is no correctional center in the District, the Kamakwie Police Station is serving as a holding center and inmates are later transferred to the Port Loko Correctional Centre. The LUC also spoke about the collaboration between the Kamakwie Police Division and the NPAA. He referenced the recent matter of the Ghanaian national who has been convicted in the Kamakwie Magistrates Court, with a jail term of 12 months and a fine of 10,000.Nle.
Presentations were done on the following topics:
Introduction to substantive Protected Area Management Law, delivered by D. L Bangura Esq.; Roles and Responsibilities of the security sector in environmental Governance and Protected Area Management – delivered by Mohamed Bangura, Director Border Security, ONS;
Identifying Offences, Preparing Court Charges and Judicial Procedures – Done by Sorie I Koroma Esq.; Judicial Facilitator
Offences, Fines, and Penalties in Protected Management- Ibrahim Tholley Esq. State counsel Northern Region.
After the presentations, group work and practice formed part of the process.
In his closing statement, the State Counsel, Northern Region, Ibrahim Tholley Esq., stated that the training is expected to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of more protected area management offences to ensure the maximum conservation of the OKNP landscape.
According to participants, the training was insightful and educational. They cited the presence of the distinguished Presenters as a strong source of motivation for them as judicial actors. The Participants appreciated the training and committed to utilise the knowledge gained in implementing environmental laws across their respective duty stations.
In her vote of thanks, Magdalene Koroma, Park Manager, OKNP, thanked all the Participants for traveling from their various locations to be part of the training and entreated them to implement what they had learned during this training. She expressed special thanks to the community stakeholders and facilitator for imparting such knowledge they have shared with participants.
She asked for support from donor partners so that the Authority undertakes more capacity-building opportunities for state actors involved in the conservation of Protected Areas.
