By Cornelius Eku Randall
In a bid to protect Outamba Kilimi National Park and its biodiversity, the National Protected Area Authority, with support from the European Union (EU)—a key partner in the conservation and environmental protection sector, concluded a seven-day consultation meeting with stakeholders on the OKNP management plan across the upper Tambaka, Lower Tambaka, and Sella Limba chiefdoms in Karen District from 7 to 13 October 2024.
When explaining the management plan to community stakeholders, Magdalene Koroma, Park Manager, emphasized the crucial role of the stakeholders in the design of the future operations of the OKNP. She underlined that their input, such as (provision of alternative livelihoods), was invaluable in outlining the aims and objectives of the park, the strategies to meet those objectives, and the means to achieve them. This approach made the stakeholders feel valued and integral to the process.
In his statement, chiefdom speaker Pa Ibrahim Yansaneh expressed the community’s pleasure in being consulted as stakeholders. He emphasized that the communities now feel a sense of ownership and responsibility in the protection of the Outamba Kilimi National Park (OKNP), which he said was given to the Government by their forefathers. Alhaji Kolleh Kamara stakeholder, Pa Alimamy Orteme stakeholder, Women’s Leader, youth leader and religious leaders also gave their input, further reinforcing the community’s role in the park’s protection.
Concluding the consultation, Park Manager OKNP Magdalene Koroma thanked the community stakeholders for their time and contributions. She then asked them if they would work with the NPAA. Their resounding affirmation reaffirmed their commitment and unity in the shared purpose of developing and protecting the park, making them feel dedicated and involved.
