Freetown: Strategic deliberations unfolded as the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs partnered with the ProBlue World Bank to finalize preparations for the upcoming Go Circular 2026 initiative. The planning session marked a decisive step toward embedding sustainability into the fabric of Sierra Leone's tourism industry.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the meeting commenced with Deputy Secretary Mr. Sahr Philip Morsay calling for unified action, establishing a spirit of collaboration. Senior Tourism Officer Mr. Tamba Shaku Bundor expanded on the vision by outlining the initiative's core objectives: embedding circular economy principles, curtailing plastic waste through recycling and sustainable packaging, and nurturing eco-conscious enterprises. Mr. Bundor emphasized the negative effects of plastic pollution on tourism, positioning the initiative as a transformative effort to elevate industry standards through enhanced waste management and reduced plastic dependency across hospitality sectors.
ProBlue World Bank Consultant Madam Amira Hallaby expressed appreciation for the convening, reflecting on the initiative's origins. Minister Madam Nabeela Farida Tunis launched the inaugural Go Circular Week in February 2024, establishing an enduring annual tradition. With the current project phase drawing to a close, Madam Hallaby emphasized that the 2026 edition would prioritize the development of self-sustaining event frameworks capable of continuation under Ministry stewardship.
Organizers unveiled a structured six-part agenda designed to maximize impact. Day one will feature a symbolic walk from the Ministry of Environment to the Ministry of Tourism, traversing key sites, including the Kingtom dumpsite and a recycling facility, to underscore the interconnection between environmental health and tourism vitality. Day two centers on a Plastic Leadership Platform, where stakeholders will launch a sand mining study, present new management protocols for Lumley Beach, and introduce a Green Label Certification. This certification is a collaborative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Tourist Board recognizing establishments that demonstrate exemplary waste reduction. Day three shifts focus on community engagement with a visit to the Mahera community, celebrating the closure of a pilot project that successfully recovered six tons of plastic, yielding replicable lessons for community-led waste management systems.
The session concluded with a consolidated pledge to deliver a high-impact Go Circular 2026, reinforcing the Ministry's unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship.