By: Aminata Sesay
ActionAid Sierra Leone, with support from the Embassy of Ireland in Sierra Leone, organized a vibrant town hall meeting in the Mapaki community to promote public understanding of national climate initiatives and strengthen collaboration between civil society organizations (CSOs) and local residents.
The event served as an inclusive platform for open dialogue, bringing together community elders, CSO leaders, and residents to examine the environmental challenges affecting the region. Participants openly discussed the consequences of unsustainable practices such as deforestation and poor land use which they linked to increasingly erratic rainfall patterns and rising temperatures.
Arun Conteh, Project Coordinator at ActionAid Sierra Leone, emphasized the urgent need for environmental responsibility. In his remarks, he highlighted the harmful impact of environmental neglect and underscored the critical role CSOs must play in leading sustainable solutions. He called on CSOs to set an example through education, advocacy, and hands-on environmental action, particularly in the area of responsible tree management.
The discussions extended beyond raising awareness. The forum concluded with a collective call to action: to begin planting economic trees. Organizers explained that these trees not only help preserve the ecosystem but also provide long-term income-generating opportunities for families.
With a renewed sense of purpose and commitment, residents of Mapaki left the meeting motivated to adopt more climate-conscious behaviors, recognizing that local actions can contribute significantly to national climate resilience.