By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), in partnership with the European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone, has on Monday October 28, 2024 kicked off a pivotal five-day green journalism training program in Kenema City. Running from October 28 to November 1, 2024, this initiative aims to empower journalists to effectively report on critical environmental issues affecting Sierra Leone, including deforestation, coastal erosion, illegal fishing, and the wider impacts of climate change.
Funded by the European Union and organized by the Initiatives for Media Development (IMdev), the program brings together 22 journalists and three social media influencers from across the country. The training is designed to enhance their capacity to shape public discourse and influence environmental policies related to sustainability and natural resource management.
Participants will benefit from hands-on training in investigative reporting techniques, sustainable practices, and environmental governance. The program also includes field visits to two significant ecological sites: Tiwai Island Sanctuary and the Kambui Hills Forest Reserve. Tiwai Island, a renowned biodiversity hotspot, will provide insights into wildlife conservation, while the Kambui Hills Forest Reserve will address the challenges of deforestation and forest management, deepening journalists’ understanding of these pressing issues and their impacts on local communities.
SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla underscored the significance of this initiative, stating, “The challenges Sierra Leone faces in environmental degradation require the media to step up and be the voice of both the environment and the people affected. This training provides the skills to turn complex environmental data into compelling narratives that inspire action and inform policy.”
Hon. Yema Mimi Sobba-Stephens, Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the initiative’s role in the national strategy to combat climate change and environmental degradation. “By empowering journalists with the knowledge and skills to communicate these complex issues effectively, we are fostering a more informed public discourse and paving the way for evidence-based policymaking in environmental management,” she said.
Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, the EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone, expressed the EU’s commitment to enhancing its partnership with Sierra Leone in vital areas such as environmental sustainability and climate action.
“This training exemplifies the EU’s dedication to fostering a more informed public discourse and supporting Sierra Leone’s efforts to address climate change,” he noted. He also highlighted the EU’s ongoing support for biodiversity protection in Sierra Leone, referencing the recent EU Beach Cleanup initiative as part of broader efforts aligned with the Green Economy focus of the Development Partnership and the Multiannual Indicative Programme for 2021-2027.
This training program marks a significant step in equipping journalists to tackle environmental issues head-on, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future for Sierra Leone.
