By: Aminata Sesay
Amid mounting concerns over climate change and worsening water shortages in Sierra Leone’s capital, a major reforestation campaign has been launched to restore the Guma Valley catchment Freetown’s most critical water source
On Saturday, 7th June 2025, more than 200 volunteers, government officials, and civil society representatives gathered at the Guma Dam to plant 5,000 trees in a symbolic and practical effort to reverse deforestation and safeguard the city’s water future.
Led by the Liberals Foundation in celebration of its 27th anniversary, the campaign is a bold response to the 40% decline in forest cover around the Guma catchment since 2000. Held under the theme “Together We Grow: Strengthening Nature’s Fabric, One Tree at a Time,” the initiative highlighted the urgent need for ecosystem restoration.
“This is a climate emergency,” said Ing. Ishmail Bundu, Head of the Liberals Foundation. “Without the forest, there is no Guma and without Guma, Freetown dries up. We are planting hope and resilience, not just trees.”
The Guma Valley Water Company supplies water to more than one million residents of Greater Freetown. Deforestation has contributed to increased siltation, reduced water storage capacity, and an unreliable water supply, prompting the need for collective action.
The campaign drew participation from key stakeholders including the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the Ministry of Tourism, the Freetown City Council, and World Vision Sierra Leone a strong signal of multi-sector commitment to environmental recovery.
“This isn’t just about planting trees it’s about national survival,” said Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Macarthy, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation. “Every water project now includes forest protection. We can’t afford more deforestation.”
Ing. Maada S. Kpenge, Managing Director of the Guma Valley Water Company, highlighted the direct link between forest health and water supply.
“Forests act as natural water filters and regulators. If we lose the forest, we lose water security.”
Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr reinforced the urgency with sobering data:
“We lost 525 hectares of forest in 2023, 715 hectares in 2024, and already 400 hectares in just the first three months of this year. These are not just numbers they are a warning.”
Sagane Thiaw, Country Director of World Vision Sierra Leone, emphasized the long-term impact on future generations:
“Environmental sustainability is not optional. Clean water depends on healthy ecosystems. Our children’s future depends on our actions today.”
Beyond the symbolic act of tree planting, the event served as a powerful call to action for public engagement, long-term ecological stewardship, and climate resilience. Organizers expressed hope that the initiative will spark similar efforts across the country, especially as climate change continues to strain water and natural resources.
As thousands of seedlings begin to take root, so too does the hope that a united, climate-conscious citizenry can reverse decades of environmental degradation and ensure clean, reliable water for generations to come.