By alhajimanika.kamara@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), in partnership with the Initiative for Media Development (iMDEV), has successfully concluded a crucial training program aimed at equipping journalists and bloggers with the skills and knowledge necessary to report on the pressing environmental challenges facing Sierra Leone.
The five-day training, held in Kenema, Eastern Sierra Leone, was funded by the European Union (EU) and focused on strengthening environmental journalism. The program underscored the importance of environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and the challenges posed by activities such as deforestation, artisanal and industrial mining, and unregulated land use in Sierra Leone.
The training gathered journalists from various media platforms, providing them with the tools to better understand and report on the causes and effects of environmental degradation in regions like the Kambui Hills and the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary. Through expert-led workshops, field visits, and interactive discussions, participants gained firsthand insight into how human activities are damaging the country’s natural landscapes and biodiversity.
Sierra Leone is facing a growing environmental crisis, particularly in regions like the Kambui Hills, the Western Area Peninsular National Park, and other vital ecological areas. These biodiverse landscapes are suffering from extensive deforestation, unregulated artisanal mining, and the unchecked expansion of large-scale mining operations. These destructive activities are not only jeopardizing the nation’s natural resources but also threatening local livelihoods and the future well-being of Sierra Leone’s ecosystems.
SLAJ is calling on national and local governments to urgently address these environmental issues. President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, who participated in the training, expressed concern over the widespread environmental destruction he witnessed during the field visits, particularly in the Kambui Hills. Nasralla criticized the lack of effective regulation and enforcement of environmental laws, stating, “SLAJ is appalled by the level of environmental degradation witnessed firsthand at Kambui Hills, and the lack of supervision by the relevant authorities to curtail the wanton destruction of the country’s environment. This is robbing future generations of their inalienable rights to their natural capital.”
In light of these concerns, SLAJ is urging the Government of Sierra Leone to take immediate action to protect the country’s environment. The association calls for the strict enforcement of environmental protection laws, as well as the prioritization of conservation efforts, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like the Kambui Hills. Without stronger governance and regulatory frameworks, Sierra Leone risks losing its vital natural resources and biodiversity.
SLAJ also commends the ongoing efforts of the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, which is managed by the Environmental Foundation for Africa (EFA), alongside local communities. The sanctuary has become a model for successful biodiversity conservation and community-led environmental stewardship. The commitment of these local stakeholders demonstrates how grassroots conservation efforts can combat climate change, mitigate environmental degradation, and support local economies.
SLAJ is calling on international partners, stakeholders, and the government to provide increased support for conservation initiatives across Sierra Leone. Strengthening these efforts will not only protect the nation’s biodiversity but also help boost the livelihoods of local communities that depend on natural resources for their economic survival.
The EU-funded training program has strengthened the capacity of Sierra Leonean journalists to report on these critical environmental issues. SLAJ believes that empowering journalists with the necessary skills and knowledge is key to fostering greater public awareness and advocating for the sustainable management of the country’s natural resources.
As the SLAJ concludes this training program, the association reaffirms its commitment to partnering with the EU and other development organizations to raise the profile of environmental governance in Sierra Leone. Through media education, SLAJ hopes to inspire greater collaboration across sectors, empowering journalists to not only report on environmental challenges but also to advocate for sustainable development and environmental justice in the country.
“We hope that this collaboration will inspire others to join in the efforts to educate the media on environmental governance and protection,” said Nasralla. “By equipping journalists to report on the urgent environmental issues in Sierra Leone, we are building a stronger platform for advocacy and change.”
The time to act is now, and SLAJ urges all stakeholders to prioritize environmental protection in order to safeguard Sierra Leone’s rich natural heritage for future generations. AMK/6/11/2024
