By: Abass Conteh, Reporter
On Thursday, June 27, 2025, the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL) held a pivotal stakeholders engagement meeting focused on the establishment of National Networks for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Private Sector Institutions to support the REDD+ Readiness Programme in Sierra Leone.
The meeting took place at the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) Hall on Kingharman Road, bringing together key representatives from government agencies, environmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society. Participants engaged in discussions on the formation of these networks and reviewed draft Terms of Reference (ToRs) for their operations.
In his keynote address, Dr. Gbessay Ehlogima Sam Momoh, the National REDD+ Technical Coordinator, provided a comprehensive overview of the REDD+ initiative (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) in Sierra Leone. He emphasized the program’s potential to enhance forest conservation, mitigate climate change impacts on local communities, and promote sustainable development.
Dr. Momoh also discussed the international legal frameworks supporting REDD+, including the 2005 global initiative aimed at incentivizing developing countries to reduce deforestation, and the 2010 Cancun Safeguards, which ensure that environmental and social standards are upheld during implementation.
CSSL’s representative, Mr. Bobson Kamara, highlighted the urgent need for establishing the National Networks of CSOs and Private Sector actors focused on REDD+. He stressed the importance of creating clear and inclusive Terms of Reference to guide collaboration and functioning during the REDD+ readiness phase.
In an interview with Daily Scope Newspaper, Mr. Abdul K. Dumbuya, Head of Programmes at CSSL, remarked that the formation of these networks represents the initial phase of a structured approach to sustainable forest management in Sierra Leone. He stated, “Our aim is to unite Civil Society Organizations and the private sector in actively supporting the government and its partners in implementing the REDD+ process. Achieving the goals of the readiness phase will require unified action and commitment from all stakeholders.”
This engagement signifies a crucial advancement in Sierra Leone’s environmental governance and climate action initiatives as the country prepares to actively participate in global climate mitigation strategies through the REDD+ framework.
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