By: Aminata Sesay
The Parliamentary Gola Forest Caucus has commenced an oversight inquiry into the governance structure, legal framework and operations of the Gola Rainforest Conservation Company (GRC), with Members of Parliament seeking clarity on the company’s accountability mechanisms, board composition and compliance with national regulations.
The engagement, held on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, at Parliament’s Administrative Building in Freetown, brought together representatives from the Gola Rainforest Conservation Company, the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL), the Forestry Division, and Paramount Chiefs from Gola chiefdoms, including Paramount Chief Osama Ansumana Yai II of Barri Chiefdom in Pujehun District.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Yusuf Mackery, said Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to investigate the activities of institutions, companies and organizations operating in Sierra Leone, particularly those benefiting from government recognition, concessions and tax exemptions.
Referencing Section 93 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Hon. Mackery maintained that Parliament has the authority to examine the administration and activities of such institutions. He emphasized that the inquiry was not intended to target any individual or organization but rather to promote transparency, accountability and good governance.
“This is not a witch-hunt. We want a constructive engagement that will help resolve any issues before they escalate,” he stated.
Chairman of the Gola Caucus, Hon. Mohamed Kanneh, explained that the inquiry forms part of Parliament’s constitutional oversight mandate to ensure that institutions operating within communities remain accountable to the people they serve.
He noted that while Paramount Chiefs are represented on the company’s board, Members of Parliament also have a duty to scrutinize issues affecting their constituents and ensure that national interests are protected.
Hon. Quinton Salia-Konneh reminded witnesses that they were appearing before Parliament under oath and cautioned that providing false information during testimony could amount to perjury, which carries serious legal consequences.
Representing the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone, Executive Director Sheku Kamara explained that the Gola Rainforest Conservation Company was established as a non-profit organisation responsible for owning and managing carbon credits generated under the REDD+ programme.
He stated that the company was created through a partnership involving the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and the Government of Sierra Leone, with support from the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) during the establishment process.
However, Members of Parliament raised concerns regarding aspects of the company’s governance and legal arrangements.
Hon. Mariama Munia Zombo questioned the composition and tenure of the company’s board, expressing concern over what she described as the absence of a comprehensive agreement with the Government similar to those established for other conservation initiatives that have received parliamentary approval.
She stressed that Parliament’s interest was to ensure that institutions operating under its oversight function within clear legal and governance structures.
The Committee’s scrutiny intensified when Hon. Momoh Bockarie questioned whether the partnership agreement guiding the company’s operations expired in 2023 without renewal.
He argued that if the agreement had lapsed, there was a need for clarification on the legal foundation for the company’s continued operations.
Hon. Bockarie further referred to provisions under the Companies Act, noting that directors have statutory reporting obligations to relevant state institutions, including Parliament. He suggested that the matter could receive further attention from oversight bodies such as the Public Accounts Committee, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and Parliament’s Transparency Committee, if required.
Providing a traditional leadership perspective, Paramount Chief Osama Ansumana Yai II called for a balanced approach, arguing that responsibility for any challenges should not be placed solely on the company’s board.
He noted that successive governments also have a responsibility to review, update or renew agreements governing the operations of the Gola Rainforest Conservation Company. He called for a comprehensive assessment to determine where possible gaps or lapses may have occurred.
The Parliamentary Committee concluded the session by requesting additional documents and further clarification on the company’s governance structure, legal status and operational activities as it continues its oversight inquiry into the Gola Rainforest Conservation Company.
The inquiry is expected to provide greater clarity on the management of one of Sierra Leone’s most important conservation initiatives and its role in protecting the Gola rainforest while supporting affected communities.