By Amin Kef Sesay
In a significant stride towards environmental sustainability, Africell Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, spearheaded World Environment Day celebrations on June 5th, 2024. Themed “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” the event underscored the urgent need to tackle critical environmental challenges.
The EPA, responsible for environmental monitoring, regulation, and protection, joined millions worldwide in this observance. Fatmata Bakarr Sesay from the Communications Department outlined a week-long series of activities aimed at raising awareness and fostering solutions for environmental challenges in Sierra Leone.
A symposium at Fourah Bay College on June 5th brought together various stakeholders to discuss the theme and develop strategies to address environmental issues. The following day, an Eco-tour was organized for school children, providing them with firsthand experiences of the causes of water shortages and measures to mitigate these issues.
On June 7th, a debate competition among schools encouraged young minds to engage with environmental topics, culminating in a green marathon on June 8th. This marathon, starting at Siaka Stevens Street by the Cotton Tree and ending at Lumley Beach, aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of environmental preservation.
Shadi Gerjawi, Managing Director of Africell Sierra Leone, highlighted Africa’s potential for solar energy. Citing the International Energy Agency, he noted that while Africa possesses 60% of the world’s best solar resources, it contributes only 1% to global solar generation capacity. To bridge this gap, Africell launched the Clean Energy Initiative in 2023, including the installation of a 230-kilowatt solar farm at their headquarters in Wilberforce, Freetown.
Africell aims to have 40% of its tower sites operating on hybrid systems, utilizing solar energy and generators by the end of this year. Additionally, their shift towards a paperless office has reduced paper usage by 70%, transitioning to a more digital platform.
In partnership with Easy Solar and PowerGen, Africell has enabled customers to pay for solar energy products through their mobile money platform, Afrimoney. Gerjawi concluded by noting Africell’s compliance with EPA regulations since 2016, demonstrating their commitment to environmental responsibility.
This collaboration between the EPA, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and Africell marks a pivotal effort in promoting sustainability and environmental awareness in Sierra Leone.
