Fatmata Mida Carew Demands Sustainable Action on Beach Sanitation

By Abdul Rahman Bah

The Director General of the National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatmata Mida Carew, has strongly called for a shift from routine beach cleaning exercises to sustainable, long-term solutions that address the root causes of waste pollution along Sierra Leone’s coastline.

Speaking at a press conference attended by members of the media, Carew stressed that while periodic clean-up campaigns are ongoing, they cannot solve the problem if indiscriminate dumping of household waste continues. She emphasized that beaches must not be treated as dumping grounds, noting that in well-organized systems, waste is directed to proper landfill sites and managed through structured environmental policies.

She highlighted the need to “attack the source of the problem,” pointing out that continuous cleaning without preventing waste disposal at its origin only leads to repeated cycles of sanitation crises. According to her, environmental cleanliness is fundamental to tourism growth and national image.

Carew disclosed that the Tourist Board has engaged the Freetown City Council and the Environmental Protection Agency Sierra Leone to ensure coordinated efforts in tackling waste management challenges. She maintained that sanitation and environmental regulation fall within the mandates of these institutions and that collaboration is essential for lasting impact.

She concluded by urging communities, local authorities and environmental bodies to take ownership of waste management responsibilities, stressing that clean beaches are not just about tourism but about public health, national pride and sustainable development