By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a major step toward promoting sustainability in the tourism sector, the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministries of Finance, Tourism and Environment, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP), Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP) and the World Bank, with support from PROBLUE, officially launched the Green Label Reward Application on Monday, February 24, 2025.
The launch event, held at the Country Lodge Hotel on Hill Station in Freetown, aims to recognize and reward tourism operators who actively reduce single-use plastics (SUP) in their businesses. That initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage eco-friendly practices and enhance environmental sustainability within Sierra Leone’s tourism industry.
Addressing the gathering, Amira Hallaby, a consultant with the World Bank, described the Green Label Reward Application as an initiative aimed at reducing single-use plastics within Sierra Leone’s tourism industry.
She outlined the Green Labeling approach, which seeks to promote sustainable tourism by recognizing and rewarding businesses that adopt eco-friendly practices. The initiative’s primary goals include motivating tourism operators to invest in reducing plastic waste, establishing a nationally recognized certification and raising awareness among both tourists and local communities about the impact of plastic pollution. Amira Hallaby emphasized that the Green Label, once implemented, could serve as a model for other industries in Sierra Leone, fostering a broader movement toward sustainability.
The program, co-managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Tourist Board (NTB), will operate in two phases. In Phase 1, businesses will voluntarily commit to reducing single-use plastics through a signed agreement. Phase 2 will involve validating their progress based on specific reduction targets. Successful tourism providers will be recognized after 12 months if they meet the program’s criteria.
Amira Hallaby highlighted that integrating the Green Labeling initiative into Sierra Leone’s National Tourism Policy will be crucial for its success. The EPA and NTB will lead implementation efforts, while MoTCA and other policy stakeholders will support regulatory integration and incentives to encourage participation. SLAHTA will play a key role in advocacy, capacity building and knowledge-sharing to help businesses transition to more sustainable practices.
“With international collaboration and strong local commitment, the Green Labeling initiative has the potential to position Sierra Leone as a leader in sustainable tourism, attracting eco-conscious travelers while preserving the country’s natural beauty,” she concluded.
Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Mima Yema Mimi, called on hotels, restaurants and tourism operators to take greater responsibility in reducing plastic waste and maintaining a cleaner environment.
She emphasized the direct link between a clean environment and a thriving tourism industry, highlighting the negative impact of plastic pollution on the country’s beaches and oceans. She warned that continued environmental neglect could damage Sierra Leone’s reputation as a tourist destination.
“It is heartbreaking to see the amount of plastic waste along our beaches, particularly in front of hotels and restaurants,” she said. “Tourism and the environment go hand in hand. If we don’t keep our surroundings clean, we are destroying the very industry we depend on.”
The Deputy Minister stressed the need for collective action, urging tourism operators to not only clean their surroundings but also hold each other accountable in maintaining a sustainable and eco-friendly industry.
“We don’t need authorities to chase after hotels and restaurants to keep their premises clean. It should be a shared responsibility,” she said. “We must be role models and watchmen for our industry, ensuring that our environment remains clean and welcoming for visitors.”
Bashiru Koroma, Planning and Development Officer at the NTB, explained that the initiative aims to motivate and recognize tourism operators who implement best environmental practices, particularly in reducing single-use plastics.
“In developing this initiative, we conducted extensive feasibility studies and policy reviews, including the Tourism Act, to ensure its applicability,” he said. “While the Act provides some development aid and incentives, we had to adapt an alternative incentive model that offers both financial and non-financial rewards.”
According to Bashiru Koroma, the financial incentives will include a fee reduction for tourism operators who successfully meet the environmental standards outlined in the Green Label Reward checklist. Additionally, the initiative will offer capacity-building programs and feasibility studies to support tourism businesses in adopting sustainable practices.
For non-financial incentives, the NTB has proposed upgrading hotel classifications hotels and tourism establishments that attain the Green Label certification may receive an upgraded classification status as part of the reward system. Recognized businesses will also benefit from enhanced visibility and marketing support on national tourism promotion platforms, including the NTB’s website and social media channels, to highlight their achievements in reducing single-use plastic waste.
Bashiru Koroma emphasized that the incentive model is designed to be realistic and sustainable, ensuring that tourism operators have a clear pathway to adopting environmentally friendly practices while also benefiting from Government support.
“The tourism sector plays a crucial role in our economy and if we do not protect our environment, we are jeopardizing the industry’s future,” he stated. “Through this initiative, we hope to see more hotels and restaurants committing to sustainability and positioning Sierra Leone as a leader in eco-friendly tourism.”
John Shallop, President of the Hospitality Industry in Sierra Leone and General Manager of Country Lodge Hotel, highlighted the challenges of waste management within the hospitality sector and the need for collective responsibility in protecting the environment.
He acknowledged the difficulties hotels face in managing waste and called on industry stakeholders to embrace and sustain the initiative. John Shallop emphasized that the project should not only be seen as a Government effort but as a means to enhance business operations and environmental sustainability.
He also questioned the enforcement mechanisms and incentives for ensuring compliance with environmental standards. In an effort to contribute to waste reduction, John Shallop pledged to import containerized bottled water as an alternative to plastic bottles, which have significantly contributed to environmental pollution in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Kadijatu Grace Kamara, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, underscored the importance of recycling in promoting a cleaner environment. She urged hotel owners to engage in organized cleaning initiatives, noting that the waste generated by the hospitality sector should not be seen as a problem but rather as an opportunity for sustainable solutions.
