Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, mayor of Freetown, is addressing climate emergencies in Sierra Leone. After witnessing devastating deforestation and mudslides, she has launched initiatives like appointing Africa’s first chief heat officer, Eugenia Kargbo. The community has planted over 1.2 million trees in a reforestation project. Aki-Sawyerr emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with cultural traditions surrounding nature.
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, witnessed the severe impact of deforestation on her city after the Ebola epidemic ended. Observing the loss of tropical rainforests used for housing and fuel led her to a moment of emotional clarity. This deforestation resulted in a compromised natural drainage system, contributing to a catastrophic mudslide in 2017 that claimed over a thousand lives and underscored the urgency of addressing climate change issues in the region.
Upon assuming office in May 2018, Aki-Sawyerr confronted the grim realities of leading one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable and impoverished countries. Nonetheless, she maintains a hopeful perspective, believing that negative conditions can be changed. Aki-Sawyerr, who has a background in finance and property development and a history of activism against the blood diamond trade, symbolizes a proactive approach toward climate resilience and community empowerment.
Under her leadership, she appointed Eugenia Kargbo as Africa’s first chief heat officer to tackle extreme temperature challenges faced by Freetown’s residents. Kargbo’s initiatives include building shade canopies for market vendors and exploring heat-resistant materials for shelters, although funding remains a critical obstacle to these efforts.
Freetown has made notable strides in reforesting areas that suffered from past destruction. Over the last five years, the community has successfully planted more than 1.2 million trees, with 82 percent flourishing in a project titled “Freetown the Tree Town.” These efforts not only provide shade but also enhance neighborhood resilience against mudslides.
Aki-Sawyerr recalls a local tradition where a newborn’s umbilical cord was buried with a newly planted tree, reinforcing connections between individuals and their land. She emphasizes the importance of reviving such customs as a powerful means of fostering communal ties and environmental stewardship.
The initiatives led by Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and her team embody hope and resilience in the face of climate adversity in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Through innovative leadership and community involvement, they are diligently working to mitigate the impacts of climate change by restoring forests and adapting to rising temperatures. Aki-Sawyerr’s vision for the future includes a reconnection to traditional practices that honor the land, aiming to inspire upcoming generations to value and protect their environmental heritage.
Original Source: www.nationalgeographic.com
