The newly formed National Civil Society Coalition on Marine Protection (NaCSCoMP), March 7, 2025, marked an important milestone in environmental advocacy by convening its inaugural General Meeting at the Conference Room of the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL) in Freetown.
The gathering was attended by representatives from twelve Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), environmentalists, and professionals committed to the protection and conservation of marine and coastal environments in Sierra Leone and the wider West African region.
Under the leadership of Mr. Abdul Kaprr Dumbuya, Communication Manager for CSSL, the meeting aimed to review NaCSCoMP’s draft constitution and to elect a skeletal executive body to facilitate the coalition’s operations for the next three years. Dumbuya opened the session by emphasizing the significance of officially launching the coalition, which was established to create a national platform advocating for the protection of marine and coastal environments.
“The rationale behind forming this coalition stems from our collective need as stakeholders to address the pressing issues affecting our coastal and marine ecosystems. This need was highlighted by the Regional Network of CSOs of the West African Coast, headquartered in Dakar, Senegal,” Dumbuya explained. “Sierra Leone is a vital member of this network, and today we take a significant step towards enhancing our collaboration to safeguard our marine biodiversity.”
In his remarks, Dumbuya also announced that the formation of NaCSCoMP is part of a broader support initiative provided by the Regional Partnership for the Conservation of Coastal and Marine Zone (PRCM). The partnership seeks to empower CSOs across West Africa to assume greater responsibility for the stewardship of their marine resources.
Mr. Edward Sesay, Head of Programs at CSSL, underscored the relevance of the meeting during a brief narration about the coalition’s establishment, noting that while the coalition was working on drafting its constitution, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) was simultaneously preparing to ratify critical legal instruments essential for the protection of the country’s waters.
He expressed optimism about the collaboration between NaCSCoMP and SLMA, highlighting the importance of having a coalition like NaCSCoMP to effectively engage governmental authorities regarding the management of marine and coastal areas.
The meeting’s agenda included a detailed presentation of the draft statutes of association/constitution for review and adoption. Dumbuya led this in-depth discussion, guiding participants through a collaborative review process to amend and refine the proposed document. One key change included modifying the coalition’s acronym from NCSCMP to NaCSCoMP based on members’ suggestions.
Participants enthusiastically contributed ideas, and their insights significantly enhanced the final draft’s quality.
The session culminated in a motion put forth by Mr. Abdul Salfu Conteh from the Society on Environmental Pollution – Sierra Leone (SEPSiL) for the constitution to be validated and adopted, a motion that received a second from Abu Bakarr Kargbo of Standard Times Newspaper and was unanimously approved by the assembly.
The election of the coalition’s Executive Committee was conducted by Mr. Sesay, who urged members to consider candidates known for their commitment to the coalition’s objectives. “The success of our organization will depend heavily on the cooperation and dedication of its leadership,” he acknowledged.
After thoughtful deliberation, Mr. Abdul Kaprr Dumbuya was elected National Coordinator. The elections resulted in a diverse and capable team: Mrs. Aminata Finda Massaquoi of Women’s Network Against Rural Plantations Injustice (WoNARPI) was voted as the Deputy National Coordinator; Mr. Edward Aruna was elected Treasurer; Mr. Abdulaziz Samura from SEPSiL became Secretary General; and Abdulai Dauda from CSSL was chosen as Deputy Secretary General.
In his acceptance speech, Dumbuya expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and his fellow committee members. “We are honored to have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading this coalition for the next three years. We pledge our commitment to advancing the objectives of NaCSCoMP and ensuring the protection of Sierra Leone’s marine and coastal environments,” he stated.
He encouraged all members to collaborate closely to realize their shared goals; and he invited other CSOs interested in marine conservation to join the coalition, underlining that membership is open.
The meeting concluded on a high note with a vote of thanks delivered by Deputy National Coordinator, Mrs. Aminata Finda Massaquoi, who highlighted the importance of unity and collaborative action. Attendees were invited to pose for a group photograph, symbolizing a new chapter in Sierra Leone’s marine conservation efforts as they celebrated the formation of NaCSCoMP.
With the foundational steps of this newly minted coalition firmly in place, NaCSCoMP is poised to play a crucial role in advocating for sustainable practices and policies to preserve the rich biodiversity of Sierra Leone’s coastal and marine sectors.
