The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Abdullia, has underscored the pivotal role of Paramount Chiefs in advancing sustainable forest management across Sierra Leone, describing them as indispensable partners in safeguarding the country’s natural resources. Speaking during a stakeholder engagement held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Bombali District Council Hall, the Minister called on traditional leaders and local authorities to take ownership of environmental protection efforts, particularly in supporting the ongoing National Forest Inventory (NFI) exercise.
The engagement brought together Paramount Chiefs and local council representatives from the North/East districts of Bombali, Tonkolili, Koinadugu, and Falaba, highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusive and community-driven environmental governance. Minister Abdullia emphasized that the success of sustainable forest management initiatives depends heavily on grassroots collaboration. He urged local authorities to actively support data collection teams and contribute to policy reforms aimed at strengthening both economic development and climate resilience.
“The data generated from the National Forest Inventory will provide a comprehensive understanding of our forest resources — including their types, locations, and conditions — which is critical for informed policymaking,” he stated. Also addressing the gathering, Saeed Abunakarr Bancie, Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), highlighted the far-reaching importance of forests to national and global ecosystems. “Forests underpin biodiversity, soil health, water quality, rainfall patterns, and climate regulation,” Bancie noted.
“They also hold immense potential for mitigating climate change, enhancing food security, reducing poverty, and sustaining livelihoods.” Citing data from Global Forest Watch, Bancie revealed that Sierra Leone had approximately 5.43 million hectares of tree cover in 2010—representing about 75 percent of the country’s land area. However, by 2022, more than 120,000 hectares, or 2.2 percent of forest cover, had been lost, resulting in an estimated emission of 63.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism that the National Forest Inventory would provide the evidence base needed to reverse deforestation trends and unlock climate finance opportunities.
“By leveraging reliable data, Sierra Leone can restore forest ecosystems, secure water catchments, and create sustainable economic opportunities for communities,” he said, while reaffirming FAO’s commitment to supporting environmentally sustainable food systems. He also commended the European Union for funding the initiative. Providing an overview of the project, National Coordinator Patrick Abu Mattia explained that the “Support to Sustainable Forestry in Sierra Leone” programme is designed to promote the responsible use of forest and tree resources, while positioning the country to access international climate financing. Mattia disclosed that data collection will be conducted across 464 clusters nationwide, covering diverse land types.
Of these, 120 clusters are located within the North/West region, while 34 mangrove sites are spread across the southern, western, and parts of the North/East regions. Senior Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Elizabeth Ellie, stressed the importance of traditional leadership structures, noting that Paramount Chiefs are the first point of contact when entering chiefdoms. She highlighted that Sierra Leone’s last comprehensive forest inventory was conducted over five decades ago, making the current exercise both timely and essential. “With increasing pressure on forest resources, it is critical that we take stock of what we have to inform sustainable management strategies,” she said.
Paramount Chiefs present at the meeting welcomed the initiative but called for increased government support, particularly in the areas of funding, logistics, and legal frameworks to strengthen environmental protection at the chiefdom level. They cited challenges ranging from limited financial resources to difficulties in developing and enforcing local bylaws. Nonetheless, they reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with government and development partners to ensure the success of the National Forest Inventory and broader climate action efforts. The engagement marks a significant step in Sierra Leone’s efforts to integrate traditional governance systems into modern environmental management, as the country seeks to balance ecological sustainability with socio-economic development.
