Leaders from eight coastal communities in Sierra Leone’s Western Area Peninsula have signed a declaration aimed at collectively protecting and sustainably managing their beaches and coastal environments. This initiative, focused on tourism development, environmental resilience, and community livelihoods, was formalised during a coastal dialogue at Bureh Beach on 28 September 2026, coinciding with World Tourism Day. The event was attended by representatives from the National Tourist Board and the Monuments and Relics Commission.
Community representatives acknowledged the vital role coastal settlements play in safeguarding the environment and preserving the natural and cultural assets that bolster Sierra Leone’s tourism. They recognised the ocean as a shared resource that enhances livelihoods, health, and economic development for local communities.
Participants highlighted tourism and cultural heritage as crucial for economic diversification, but expressed concerns about increasing pressures on beaches and marine ecosystems along the Peninsula. A significant issue raised at the dialogue was sand mining, driven by the demand from Freetown’s construction industry. This practice has led to coastal erosion, causing shoreline retreats of up to 40 metres in some areas and resulting in the loss of an estimated 20 million cubic metres of sand.
Community leaders acknowledged that local activities have also harmed marine and coastal ecosystems. They vowed to work together to combat the practices threatening their coastline. Identified threats included climate change, illegal sand mining, natural disasters, pollution, poor waste management, and loss of cultural heritage sites, which can jeopardise community safety and livelihoods.
The eight communities, under the declaration, committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board. Their commitments include enhancing environmental education, improving safety at tourism sites, addressing beach erosion, promoting sanitation, and working with private-sector stakeholders. They pledged to adhere to national tourism policies and environmental regulations governing the use of coastal resources.
To put their commitments into action, community leaders agreed to form local conservation committees to monitor coastal conditions and report any illegal or damaging activities affecting beaches and marine ecosystems. They emphasised that protecting the coastline encompasses more than environmental conservation; healthy beaches and ecosystems are essential for tourism and economic opportunities in coastal communities.
The signing of the declaration signifies an important step towards increased community ownership over coastal conservation and enhanced collaboration among local communities, government institutions, and other stakeholders. There is hope that these commitments will help protect Sierra Leone’s coastline and position the Western Area Peninsula as a model for community-led conservation and sustainable tourism development.
