By Josephine Sesay
Stakeholders from across Sierra Leone’s environmental sector on Monday convened at the Brookfields Hotel for a consultative workshop on recommendations for legislative and institutional reform in the waste management sector. The workshop was held under the project titled “Environmentally Sound and Safe Waste Management Framework in Africa,” an initiative aimed at strengthening waste management systems, improving environmental governance, and promoting sustainable practices across African countries.
The event brought together representatives from government ministries, environmental protection agencies, local councils, civil society organizations, development partners, and private sector actors to deliberate on challenges affecting waste management in Sierra Leone and propose reforms to improve the sector. Speaking during the workshop, officials highlighted the growing environmental and public health concerns linked to poor waste disposal, inadequate infrastructure, weak enforcement of environmental regulations, and limited institutional coordination.
Participants emphasized the urgent need for stronger legislative frameworks and institutional reforms capable of addressing the country’s increasing waste management challenges, particularly in urban communities where indiscriminate dumping continues to threaten sanitation and environmental safety. The discussions focused on reviewing existing waste management laws and policies, identifying institutional gaps, and proposing recommendations aimed at improving accountability, enforcement mechanisms, and collaboration among relevant agencies.
Stakeholders also underscored the importance of public awareness, community participation, and private sector involvement in achieving sustainable waste management systems in Sierra Leone. The “Environmentally Sound and Safe Waste Management Framework in Africa” project seeks to support African nations in adopting environmentally responsible waste management practices that align with international environmental standards and contribute to climate resilience and sustainable development. The workshop is expected to generate key recommendations that will support future policy reforms and strengthen Sierra Leone’s efforts toward creating a cleaner and healthier environment.
