Dr. Sandy noted that climate change is real and that other countries across the world are already putting modalities in place to address climate change, but that Africa still lags precariously behind.

He added that Sierra Leone needs to be pro-active in addressing environmental issues in the country to avoid disasters like the unforgotten mudslide and floods.

The minister said rampant disposal of plastic wastes across the city also pose great danger to the environment, while the rate of deforestation is worsening in the country, adding that the issue of lack of access roads are also serious.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Joseph Ndanema pointed out that his ministry is inextricably linked to land and the environment, with Sierra Leone being an agrarian nation as approximately 70% of its citizens are engaged in some form of farming.

He added that Sierra Leone has lost significant proportion of its primary forest with severe negative effects such as the devastation caused by the mudslide of August 2017.

He went on to say that the forestry division in the ministry has the responsibility to sustain and restore the forest ecosystems, adding that over the years weak policy implementation and inability to introduce innovations to manage the sector have rendered the division ineffective.