The Executive Director of the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), Sheik Ahmed Tunis, has held his maiden engagement meeting with forest guards deployed across protected areas in the Western Area, calling for unity, professionalism, and stronger collaboration in protecting Sierra Leone’s biodiversity. The meeting brought together forest guards stationed at the Western Area Peninsula National Park and the Sierra Leone River Estuary, two of the country’s most significant protected environmental zones. The engagement was also attended by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, as well as the Chairman of the NPAA Board, underscoring the importance government places on environmental conservation and protected area management.
Proceedings began with a moment of silent prayer led by officials, with participants encouraged to “observe the presence of God” and pray individually before the formal discussions commenced. Addressing the gathering, officials emphasized that the meeting was intended to strengthen cooperation among guards and management while creating a common vision for the future of protected area conservation in Sierra Leone. “Today is a unique opportunity for us to sit together, talk together, plan together, and work together,” one official stated during the engagement. “We are one family, and when we work with focus and commitment, we can make the protected areas stronger and more effective.”
The leadership of the NPAA highlighted the importance of teamwork, discipline, and a positive mindset among forest guards, noting that the success of conservation efforts depends heavily on the dedication and commitment of frontline personnel deployed across the country’s protected zones. Officials also referenced the recent leadership changes at the NPAA, describing the appointment of Executive Director Sheik Ahmed Tunis as part of government’s broader efforts to strengthen biodiversity conservation and environmental protection under the administration of President Julius Maada Bio. Speakers praised the President’s decision to appoint new leadership at the Authority, expressing confidence that the Executive Director’s experience and strategic vision would help improve operational effectiveness and conservation outcomes nationwide.
During the session, team leaders from various operational zones introduced themselves and shared brief updates about their deployment areas and responsibilities. The meeting further stressed the need for stronger coordination between management and field officers, particularly in tackling environmental threats such as illegal logging, encroachment, wildlife exploitation, and other activities affecting protected ecosystems. Officials noted that the Western Area Peninsula National Park and the Sierra Leone River Estuary remain environmentally sensitive regions that require sustained protection due to their ecological importance, biodiversity value, and contribution to climate resilience. The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by the NPAA leadership to reconnect with staff on the ground, strengthen institutional morale, and improve conservation management across Sierra Leone’s protected areas network.
