By Alvin Lansana Kargbo

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the National Tourist Board and the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, has officially broken ground on Sierra Leone’s first-ever Canopy Walkway on Tuesday 26th August, 2025 at Regent, Freetown.

The event, held at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, marks the beginning of what is expected to become a flagship eco-tourism attraction. Once completed, the canopy walkway will boost Sierra Leone’s visibility as a sustainable tourism destination, generate green jobs, support biodiversity conservation and promote inclusive community development.

Delivering his address, Minister of Environment, Jiwoh Abdulai, described the walkway as a national treasure and urged citizens to take ownership of it. He emphasized that the success of the project depends on proper maintenance and community involvement.

“This Canopy Walkway is not just a Government project; it belongs to all of us,” he said. “If we see it as our own and care for it, it will serve generations to come. Beyond attracting tourists, it will create jobs, empower communities and strengthen our commitment to protecting the forest canopy that sustains us.”

Speaking also at the ceremony, Dr. Kadijatu Grace Ahene Kamara, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, described the project as a “turning of a new page” for Sierra Leone’s tourism and conservation drive. She emphasized the country’s role as the “firstborn of West Africa” and urged citizens to take pride in showcasing Sierra Leone’s unique natural and cultural heritage.

“This walkway blends conservation with tourism, education with experience and nature with nature. Today we are not just laying a foundation for a structure but building a legacy of pride, sustainability and harmony with our environment,” Dr. Kadijatu Grace Ahene Kamara said. She called on Sierra Leoneans to take ownership of the initiative as part of their collective responsibility for national development.

Fredrick Hans Ampiah, UNDP Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, described the groundbreaking as an ambitious but necessary step in advancing Sierra Leone’s eco-tourism potential.

“At first this project seemed daunting but if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough. The Canopy Walkway will not only attract visitors but also create livelihoods and give value to the environment, which encourages its protection,” Fredrick Hans Ampiah said. He further stressed that the forest canopy must be preserved, noting: “If the canopy disappears, the walk disappears with it.”

Bala Amarasekaran, Founder and Director of the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, expressed pride in the start of construction, noting that the walkway could become the first of its kind in West Africa.

“With a span of around 360 metres above the forest, this project demonstrates Sierra Leone’s commitment to innovation in conservation, environmental protection and eco-tourism,” Bala Amarasekaran said. He added that such initiatives not only enhance tourism but also open doors for international partnerships and create employment opportunities for local communities.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by representatives from the World Bank, Government officials, conservationists and community leaders.

Construction of the Canopy Walkway is now underway with completion expected to provide Sierra Leone with a world-class attraction that blends adventure with conservation and positions the country as a rising eco-tourism destination. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/sierra-leone-breaks-ground-on-first-ever-canopy-walkway-at-tacugama/