EU and Shout Climate Change Africa Clean Up Aberdeen-Lumley Beach

In a commendable effort to preserve Sierra Leone’s picturesque coastline, the European Union (EU) Delegation in Sierra Leone partnered with Shout Climate Change Africa (SCCA) for a beach cleaning initiative that successfully cleared over one hundred bags of waste along the Aberdeen-Lumley beach.

This collective undertaking, which occurred on October 7, 2023, has garnered widespread appreciation from the local residents of Aberdeen and Lumley. It reflects the positive impact of collaborative endeavours in maintaining a clean and safe coastal environment, especially from the plastic waste often left behind by visitors and other beachgoers.

The fifth edition of this beach cleaning exercise saw participation from numerous local and international organizations operating in Sierra Leone, including the National Tourist Board, the National Protected Area Authority, the International Office for Migration (IOM), solidarity groups, and many others.

Following the successful cleanup, Councilor Magarieu Tejan Cole from the Aberdeen community, expressed his heartfelt praise and satisfaction to the organizers for their diligent efforts in maintaining a clean and waste-free environment in the country. He emphasized the significant benefits of these cleanup efforts, not only in terms of improving the aesthetic appeal but also in enhancing the revenue generation for beach operators and safeguarding the marine wildlife inhabiting the surrounding waters.

Lamin Kortequee, the Youth Representative for the Lumley community, noted the positive impact of these beach cleaning exercises on the government’s mission to offer a pristine and appealing beach environment to both local and international visitors. He recalled the days when Aberdeen-Lumley beach was marred by waste and debris, making it an unattractive sight for tourists.

Kortequee urged the government to consider providing support to ensure the continuation of these cleaning initiatives on a regular basis.

During the recent beach cleaning exercise, hundreds of participants from local and international organizations, as well as diplomatic and consular communities, collectively collected nearly two hundred bags of waste. This accumulated waste was subsequently transported and deposited at the nearby Kingtom dumpsite, contributing to the ongoing efforts to maintain the natural beauty of Sierra Leone’s coastline.