In a powerful fusion of environmental advocacy and national pride, the Africell Impact Foundation, in partnership with the Commonwealth Games Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Tourism, hosted the symbolic King’s Baton Relay at the Africell Sports Zone along Lumley Beach Road. The event marks Sierra Leone’s participation in the lead-up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
While celebrating a key Commonwealth sporting tradition, the occasion also served as a rallying cry to address plastic pollution under the bold slogan “Kip Am Klin.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Kippy Debs, Director of the Africell Impact Foundation, underscored the urgent need to protect Sierra Leone’s coastal ecosystems from the mounting threat of plastic waste.
“Sierra Leone is at a crossroads one that determines the health of our beaches, oceans, and future generations,” Debs said. “Plastic waste has become an insidious threat, suffocating marine life, polluting our shores, and eroding the natural beauty we are so proud of.”
Debs emphasized that the country’s beaches are more than recreational spaces—they are critical ecosystems that support biodiversity, tourism, and local livelihoods. With millions of tons of plastic entering oceans globally each year, she stated that it’s no longer just about awareness, but urgent and sustained action.
The Africell Impact Foundation has been at the forefront of grassroots environmental initiatives across Sierra Leone, focusing on recycling, environmental education, and sustainable policy advocacy.
“We have empowered communities to reduce, reuse, and recycle—turning awareness into measurable action,” she added.
Debs called on all Sierra Leoneans to play their part by participating in beach clean-ups and adopting environmentally responsible habits, reinforcing that every small effort contributes to a cleaner and healthier environment. She ended with a message to the athletes preparing for the 2026 Games:
“Bring home trophies and national pride but leave behind no trace of plastic.”
Prince Sualley, President of the Commonwealth Games Sierra Leone, praised Africell for its consistent support, describing the Foundation as a “permanent fixture within the sporting circle.”
He explained that the King’s Baton Relay formerly known as the Queen’s Baton Relay is a symbolic tradition observed every four years across all 74 Commonwealth nations. This year’s Sierra Leone baton was uniquely designed by Foday Dumbuya, a London-based designer of Sierra Leonean origin, and proudly features the national colors: green, white, and blue.
“This isn’t just a ceremonial event,” Sualley stated. “It’s an opportunity to promote unity, sustainability, and national identity. The beach setting and environmental focus reflect the urgent issue of plastic pollution in our oceans.”
He also noted the rebranding of the relay to honor King Charles III, the current Head of the Commonwealth.
The event concluded with a symbolic yet impactful community beach clean-up along the Lumley-Aberdeen coastline bringing the “Kip Am Klin” message to life through meaningful, hands-on action.
As Sierra Leone prepares to compete on the global stage at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the King’s Baton Relay leaves behind more than just footprints it leaves a powerful reminder that environmental stewardship and national unity must go hand in hand.