Bringing together sport, national pride and environmental activism, the Africell Impact Foundation partnered with Commonwealth Games Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Tourism to host the King’s Baton Relay at the Africell Sports Zone on Lumley Beach Road. The high-profile event served as a prelude to the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and carried a powerful message: fight plastic pollution under the theme “Kip Am Klin.”
The relay, a longstanding Commonwealth tradition, symbolized more than the journey of the baton; it underscored a commitment to sustainability and collective action against one of Sierra Leone’s most pressing environmental issues: plastic waste.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kippy Debs, Director of the Africell Impact Foundation and Customer Relations Manager at Africell Sierra Leone, made an impassioned plea for environmental responsibility.
“Sierra Leone is at a crossroads; one that determines the health of our beaches, oceans and future generations,” Kippy Debs stated. “Plastic waste is suffocating marine life, polluting our shores and eroding the natural beauty we cherish.”
She emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to community-led environmental initiatives, including recycling programs, educational outreach and sustainable advocacy efforts. “We have empowered communities to reduce, reuse and recycle; turning awareness into measurable action,” Kippy Debs added, calling on citizens to join hands in preserving the country’s coastline.
Kippy Debs also urged Sierra Leone’s athletes heading to Glasgow in 2026 to not only bring home medals but to represent a country committed to sustainability. “Bring back glory,” she said, “but leave no trace of plastic.”
Prince Sualley, President of the Commonwealth Games Sierra Leone, hailed Africell’s contributions as exemplary, calling the organization “a permanent fixture within the sporting circle.” He outlined the significance of the King’s Baton Relay, which now honors King Charles III following its renaming from the Queen’s Baton Relay.
“This isn’t just a symbolic event,” Prince Sualley noted. “It’s a meaningful opportunity to promote unity, sustainability and national identity. The beach setting and environmental theme reflect the urgent issue of plastic pollution in our oceans.”
He also highlighted that Sierra Leone’s baton was designed by Foday Dumbuya, a renowned London-based fashion designer of Sierra Leonean descent, featuring the national colors, green, white and blue, as a proud representation of the country’s cultural identity.
The event culminated in a community beach clean-up along the Lumley-Aberdeen shoreline. Volunteers, athletes and stakeholders rolled up their sleeves to physically embody the “Kip Am Klin” slogan with tangible results.
With the baton continuing its symbolic journey across the Commonwealth, Sierra Leone’s message remains clear: environmental stewardship is not optional; it is essential. Initiatives like this underscore how the Africell Impact Foundation is proving that sport, community and sustainability can work together to inspire meaningful national transformation.
