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The Government of Sierra Leone has taken a significant step toward environmental protection and climate resilience, as the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Emmanuel Abdulai, tabled a major mangrove restoration agreement before Parliament on April 14, 2026.
The agreement, titled ”Sierra Leone Community-Based Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Project SERS (Simple Equitable Revenue Sharing Agreement)”, aims to restore thousands of hectares of degraded mangrove forests across the country’s coastal regions.
Presenting the agreement, the Minister recalled a national commitment made by Julius Maada Bio in 2025 to restore 30,000 hectares of mangroves by 2030. He stressed that the initiative is central to addressing climate change challenges while improving the livelihoods of coastal communities.
“Mangroves play a critical role in protecting our coastlines and strengthening community resilience,” the Minister stated. He further noted that mangrove ecosystems are highly effective in absorbing carbon dioxide, contributing to Sierra Leone’s global climate action commitments.
The Minister highlighted that many coastal communities rely heavily on fishing, with mangroves serving as vital breeding grounds for fish. However, widespread deforestation-largely driven by the use of mangrove wood for fish smoking-has severely degraded these ecosystems.
This destruction has left communities increasingly vulnerable to rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and high tides, particularly during the rainy season.
One of the most affected areas is Nyangah Island in the Turtle Islands, where environmental degradation has led to dramatic land loss. Once stretching over 500 meters, the island has now shrunk to less than 100 meters, forcing residents to abandon their homes. Conservationists warn that without urgent intervention, several coastal communities could face extinction within the next two decades.
The proposed agreement is expected to spark parliamentary debate in the coming days, as lawmakers consider its potential impact on environmental sustainability and community livelihoods.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRG9pbCtR/
