Leaders from eight coastal communities along Sierra Leone’s Western Area Peninsula have signed a declaration committing themselves to the collective protection and sustainable management of beaches and coastal environments, with emphasis on tourism development, environmental resilience and community livelihoods.
The declaration was signed during a coastal dialogue organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) at Bureh Beach on September 28, 2026, as part of activities commemorating World Tourism Day. The engagement was witnessed by representatives of the National Tourist Board (NTB) and the Monuments and Relics Commission.
Community representatives acknowledged the important role coastal settlements play in protecting the environment and preserving the natural and cultural assets that support Sierra Leone’s tourism industry. They recognized the ocean as a shared resource that connects communities and provides opportunities for livelihoods, health, wellbeing and economic development.
Participants also noted that tourism, cultural heritage preservation and the promotion of Sierra Leone’s coastal attractions could contribute significantly to economic diversification. They, however, expressed concern over mounting pressure on beaches and marine ecosystems across the Western Area Peninsula.
One of the major issues raised during the dialogue was sand mining, particularly the extraction of sand to meet growing demand from Freetown’s construction sector. Participants said the practice has contributed to coastal erosion and shoreline retreat, reportedly reaching about 40 metres in some locations, with an estimated 20 million cubic metres of sand lost along sections of the peninsula coastline.
Community leaders acknowledged that some activities within their settlements have also contributed to the deterioration of marine and coastal environments. They consequently pledged greater cooperation and collective responsibility in addressing practices that threaten the coastline.
Among the threats identified were climate change, illegal sand mining, natural disasters, pollution, poor waste management, environmental degradation, the loss of cultural heritage sites and criminal activities that could undermine community safety and sustainable livelihoods.
Under the declaration, the eight communities committed themselves to coordinating their efforts with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board. Their commitments include strengthening environmental education and public awareness, improving safety and security at tourism destinations, addressing beach erosion and environmental degradation, promoting hygiene and sanitation and working closely with private-sector stakeholders.
The communities also pledged to comply with national tourism policies, environmental regulations and other laws governing the sustainable use of coastal resources.
As part of efforts to translate the declaration into action, community leaders agreed to establish local conservation committees responsible for monitoring coastal conditions and reporting illegal or destructive activities affecting beaches, heritage sites and marine ecosystems.
Participants stressed that protecting the coastline goes beyond environmental conservation, arguing that healthy beaches and marine ecosystems are essential to tourism, employment and other economic opportunities available to coastal communities.
They further underscored the need to preserve the peninsula’s beaches, cultural heritage and natural attractions so that future generations can continue to benefit from tourism and sustainable coastal livelihoods.
The signing of the declaration represents a move towards greater community ownership of coastal conservation and stronger cooperation among local communities, Government institutions and other stakeholders.
Stakeholders expressed hope that the commitments would help safeguard Sierra Leone’s coastline while positioning the Western Area Peninsula as an example of community-led coastal conservation and sustainable tourism development.
