By: Aminata Sesay
In celebration of World Environment Day (WED), hundreds of schoolchildren across Sierra Leone showcased their dedication to environmental protection by joining the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the fight against plastic pollution.
Under this year’s global theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” young environmentalists from various school nature clubs took center stage at an awareness event held in the Shallah Water Community in Goderich.
Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Abdulai, emphasized the critical role young people play in building a greener future. Speaking directly to the pupils, he noted that World Environment Day is not merely a celebration—it is a call to action that reminds humanity of our fragile relationship with nature and the urgent need to safeguard the planet’s resources.
“Young people should have innovative ideas, have passion, and they should understand the future belongs to them,” the Minister stressed.
He encouraged students to lead efforts in reducing plastic use in their homes, schools, and communities by adopting sustainable habits and becoming role models for environmental stewardship.
The event went beyond speeches and ceremony. Participants engaged in a hands-on Eco-tour, during which students, ministry officials, and EPA staff conducted a community assessment walk from Shallah Wharf to Funkia. The walk allowed them to observe firsthand the impact of plastic pollution on the local environment.
Minister Abdulai reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with young people, urging them to bring forward creative, practical solutions that can inspire real and lasting change.
“Let’s join efforts, think outside the box, and find alternatives that protect our land, water, and air,” he urged.
World Environment Day, led globally by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has been observed annually since 1973. This year, Sierra Leone’s commemoration placed youth voices and actions at the forefront affirming that the fight against plastic pollution must be driven by the energy, creativity, and leadership of the next generation.