Freetown, 3rd June, 2026 – As Sierra Leone prepares to mark World Environment Day on June 5, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Simon Owizz Koroma has called for stronger environmental protection in schools, stressing the importance of instilling conservation values in young people.
On Monday, June 1, Dr. Koroma, an alumnus of the West African Methodist Collegiate Secondary School (WAMCOL), planted ten non‑fruit‑bearing trees within the school compound in Freetown. The initiative was organized in collaboration with the Media Initiative for Climate Change and the Environment (MICCE).
Speaking at the ceremony, Martha Kargbo, MICCE’s Director of Media Initiatives, explained that tree planting is one of the organization’s flagship activities for World Environment Day. She emphasized that trees are vital for keeping the environment safe and healthy, adding that the exercise in schools aims to raise awareness about conservation and the role trees play in combating climate change. She appealed to both international and local NGOs to support such initiatives to make the world a better place.
Dr. Koroma expressed gratitude to MICCE for the opportunity to contribute to environmental preservation at his alma mater. He underscored that protecting the environment is a collective responsibility, urging citizens to stop indiscriminate tree cutting and to replace every felled tree with a new one. “Tree planting remains one of the most effective ways to combat climate change, improve air quality, and safeguard biodiversity,” he said.
He dedicated the newly planted trees to past teachers of WAMCOL, acknowledging their role in shaping his career and values.
The Principals of both the Senior Secondary School and Junior Secondary School, Dr. Koroma and Mrs. Miranda Cole, lauded the initiative, describing it as a significant step in the right direction. They noted that the exercise serves as a valuable lesson for pupils on environmental stewardship and sustainable development. School authorities further encouraged students to take ownership of the trees and act as ambassadors for environmental protection in their communities.
This initiative, ahead of World Environment Day, highlights the growing momentum in Sierra Leone to integrate environmental education into schools and empower young people to lead in the fight against climate change.
