By Saidu Jalloh, Daily Scope Reporter
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Abdulai, has suspended both the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director of the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) due to the agency’s inadequate efforts in safeguarding the nation’s forests and biodiversity.
This decisive action follows government assessments revealing substantial forest loss in key national parks throughout 2024. Official reports indicate significant deforestation, with the Western Area Peninsula National Park losing 713 hectares, Outamba-Kilimi National Park losing 2,152 hectares, and Loma Mountains National Park losing 840 hectares. In contrast, protected areas managed outside NPAA oversight, such as Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary and Gola Rainforest National Park, reported minimal or no forest loss.
During a meeting with NPAA staff in Freetown, Minister Abdulai criticized the Authority for failing to meet its conservation mandate, which is essential for water security, biodiversity, and economic stability. “The NPAA is failing, and that failure is a failure of conservation. We cannot afford business as usual anymore,” he stated.
To address these pressing issues, the Minister announced three new environmental initiatives:
- Tiwai-Gola Complex application for UNESCO World Heritage Status
- Protect Sierra Leone Initiative, a nationwide campaign aimed at combating deforestation
- National Biofill Project, designed to enhance biodiversity conservation
Abdulai also urged the NPAA Board to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the Authority’s performance and to implement stronger oversight measures. “We must show the world that NPAA can evolve into an institution capable of truly safeguarding Sierra Leone’s landscapes,” he asserted.
The Minister received support from Hon. Yusuf Mackery, Chair of the Committee on Environment and Climate Change, who encouraged NPAA staff to set aside internal conflicts. “This situation is an embarrassment to the Authority,” Mackery remarked. “It’s not just about policy; it’s about delivering the President’s vision through real, tangible action.”
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has committed to collaborating closely with NPAA staff to restore public confidence in the agency. As deforestation continues at an alarming rate, the effectiveness of these restructuring efforts will be closely monitored in the coming months.
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