Tuesday 3rd June 2025
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
By: Zacharia Jalloh, Strategic Communications Unit, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education held its weekly press conference on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, with key updates from the government and its partners on national development, climate action, and citizen engagement. The following are the key highlights:
National Presidential Town Hall Slated for Kenema
The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, announced that the second edition of the National Presidential Town Hall will be held on 17th June 2025 in Kenema. This event is part of the government’s ongoing civic engagement efforts to bring governance closer to the people.
His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio is expected to address the nation on his administration’s development vision and commitments. The President will also engage directly with citizens, responding to their questions to foster transparency and accountability.
Protecting the Tacugama Sanctuary and Western Area Peninsula National Park
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Abdulai, reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to protecting the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the Western Area Peninsula National Park. He warned against illegal encroachments and construction activities in and around the park, citing the grave danger they pose to wildlife and human populations.
Minister Abdulai emphasized that the Peninsula National Park is Freetown’s primary water source, and ongoing deforestation presents a severe threat to the city’s water security. He urged citizens to desist from building in restricted areas to safeguard both biodiversity and public safety.
Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project (SLCRP) Launched
Minister Abdulai also provided updates on the Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project (SLCRP), which aims to protect coastal communities from rising sea levels, erosion, and other climate-related threats. The project, he said, will support communities in adapting to climate change using locally led, sustainable methods.
The SLCRP will be officially launched on 5th June 2025 at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown.
SLCRP Project Scope and Funding
Patrick Analo, Country Director of Save the Children International, disclosed that the SLCRP is a five-year initiative valued at $26.8 million. It targets 75 coastal communities across Kambia, Bonthe, Port Loko, Moyamba, and Pujehun districts.
The project takes an integrated and inclusive approach, focusing on strengthening community governance and climate adaptation planning, promoting climate-smart farming and fishing practices, conserving and restoring 1,500 hectares of mangrove forests, upgrading water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, and integrating climate education and disaster preparedness into school curricula.
An estimated 260,000 people will directly benefit from the project, with an additional one million reached indirectly.
Mr. Analo stressed that climate change is a child rights crisis, and the project places a strong emphasis on protecting and preparing children for climate challenges.
The SLCRP is primarily funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), with support from Clifford Chance (UK), the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, the Embassy of Iceland, AXA Insurance Company, and the Government of Sierra Leone through the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).
Implementation partners include Save the Children, Concern Worldwide, Environment Foundation for Africa (EFA), Kambia District Development and Rehabilitation Organization, and the Conservation Society Sierra Leone.
EPA’s Strategic Role
Emmanuel Nyaka, Director of Climate Change at the EPA, highlighted that the project was developed between 2018 and 2020 in collaboration with Save the Children. It aligns with Cluster 7 of the former Medium-Term National Development Plan, which focuses on reducing vulnerability, as well as the country’s National Adaptation Plan.
Mr. Nyaka emphasized the project’s socio-economic and environmental benefits, which include increased household income, improved public health and well-being, enhanced gender and social inclusion, capacity building and knowledge sharing, and the restoration of mangrove ecosystems critical to livelihoods, especially fishing.
Climate Change – Call for Community Involvement
Dr. Oluwatoyin Oyekenu, Director of Green Climate Change at Save the Children, underscored the importance of community engagement in the fight against climate change. She noted that the project will offer alternative livelihoods to climate-affected communities and encouraged citizens to actively protect mangroves and combat deforestation.
