By: Aminata Sesay
The Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) has called for stronger collaboration among government institutions and the private sector to strengthen conservation efforts and promote sustainable tourism development in Sierra Leone.
The call was made during a meeting between the CTF and the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) in Freetown, where both institutions discussed ways to enhance cooperation in protecting the country’s natural and cultural heritage.
The engagement, led by CTF Director Ahmed Jalloh, focused on improving coordination among institutions responsible for conservation, environmental management and tourism, while identifying challenges affecting the effective implementation of conservation programmes.
Jalloh identified limited engagement with key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), overlapping institutional responsibilities and inadequate awareness of the CTF’s mandate among some government institutions as challenges that need to be addressed.
He stressed that stronger partnerships and improved coordination mechanisms are necessary to enable institutions to work more effectively towards shared conservation and development objectives.
The meeting also highlighted opportunities for greater private-sector involvement in conservation through strategic partnerships and investment. Such collaboration could provide additional support for conservation initiatives while creating sustainable economic opportunities.
Officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs provided recommendations aimed at strengthening inter-agency cooperation and improving policy coherence, particularly in areas where institutional responsibilities overlap.
Representing the Minister, the Ministry’s Senior Permanent Secretary welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to partnerships that promote sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.
The Senior Permanent Secretary noted that effective collaboration among institutions is essential to achieving national development objectives while safeguarding Sierra Leone’s biodiversity and cultural heritage for future generations.
The meeting was chaired by MTCA’s Head of Public Affairs and Communications, Emmanuel A.B. Turay, who commended the constructive dialogue between the two institutions.
He emphasised the importance of institutional collaboration, policy alignment and engagement with non-state actors in building a more coordinated conservation sector.
Stronger links between conservation and tourism could support sustainable tourism development, attract private-sector investment and create greater opportunities for communities living around areas of ecological and cultural importance.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment by the CTF and MTCA to deepen cooperation on conservation, sustainable resource management and initiatives that contribute to national development and community wellbeing.