By: Saidu Jalloh
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Paramount Chief Hon. Mima Kajue, who also serves as a Member of Parliament for Moyamba District, have made strong calls for immediate environmental protection measures to prevent future disasters in Sierra Leone.
Speaking at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on Tuesday, WFP Country Director Yvonne Forsen reminded the nation that Thursday, August 14, will mark the tenth anniversary of the tragic Freetown landslide disaster, which claimed over a thousand lives. She warned that rapid deforestation since the tragedy has left Sierra Leone increasingly vulnerable to landslides, floods, water shortages, and rising temperatures.
Forsen highlighted the newly launched Nature Nourishes Project, funded by the European Union, which aims to work with 90 chiefdoms to restore forests and water catchment areas, promote eco-tourism, train local guards, and introduce climate-smart farming techniques. She emphasized the importance of collaboration with relevant line ministries for the successful implementation of the project to ensure long-term environmental sustainability.
In a parallel call to action, Paramount Chief and MP Hon. Mima Kajue discussed how her Moyamba chiefdom has taken proactive steps to combat deforestation. The community has abandoned charcoal burning one of the key drivers of environmental degradation in favour of swamp rice farming and cashew plantations. With support from Njala University, local youth have been trained in sustainable farming techniques, which has helped create jobs while protecting the environment.
“This decision was made by the community and is fully supported by all,” said PC Kajue, noting that their initiative could serve as a national model for combining environmental protection with economic empowerment.
Both leaders stressed that without decisive action, Sierra Leone risks repeating the environmental catastrophes of the past.
