Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change on Thursday, 20 November 2025, held a one-day regional consultative meeting with key stakeholders, including Paramount Chiefs, members of the Office of National Security (ONS), the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Sierra Leone Police (SLP), Members of Parliament, Local Councils, and civil society organizations.
The meeting took place at the Garden Estate in Makeni, Bombali District, and focused on reviewing the 1988 Forestry Act and the 1972 Wildlife Conservation Act.
Deputy Secretary of the Ministry, Foday Sesay, noted that the existing legislation has become outdated. He explained that the review process aims to replace the current laws with updated legislation that aligns with national priorities, international environmental commitments, and best practices for sustainable forest management and wildlife conservation.
“The engagement with stakeholders is crucial to gather expert recommendations, identify existing gaps, strengthen regulatory provisions, and propose actionable reforms that will ensure standard legislation to preserve our forest resources,” Sesay said.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister Hon. Mima Yema Sobba-Stephens emphasized the critical role of Paramount Chiefs in supporting the governance framework for environmental protection and climate change. She highlighted the importance of forests in providing essential ecosystem services for human survival and noted that traditional authorities possess valuable knowledge on the current state of forests in their communities.
Sobba-Stephens further stressed that their input would contribute to improved livelihood sustainability through forest management and promote tourism through wildlife protection. She assured stakeholders that the review process would be transparent, reflecting their views and recommendations while ensuring that the new legislation meets international standards and addresses emerging challenges in forest and wildlife management.
The consultative meeting concluded with group work sessions and presentations, with a clear commitment to replacing the existing Forestry Act and Wildlife Conservation Act with updated, stakeholder-informed legislation.
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