UNDP leads Groundbreaking of Sierra Leone’s first canopy walkway at Tacugama

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially broken ground for the construction of Sierra Leone’s first-ever canopy walkway at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a project set to transform the country’s eco-tourism landscape.

Situated in the pristine Western Area Peninsula forest, the canopy walkway will allow visitors to walk above the treetops while advancing biodiversity conservation, boosting the tourism sector, and creating new economic opportunities for local communities.

The initiative forms part of UNDP’s broader support to the Government of Sierra Leone in diversifying the economy, complementing the World Bank–supported Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project. Tourism already contributes 2.6 percent to GDP and sustains more than 41,000 jobs nationwide, a number set to grow with this investment.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, UNDP Resident Representative, Frederick Ampiah, stressed the project’s value to both people and planet:

“The Tacugama walkway will enhance ecosystem protection, create direct and indirect community benefits, and firmly position Sierra Leone on the global eco-tourism map.”

Bala Amarasekaran, founder of Tacugama, welcomed the milestone, calling it a unique opportunity to showcase Sierra Leone’s natural beauty:

“This walkway will give visitors a fresh perspective on our forest while strengthening our mission of conservation.”

Government officials also expressed strong support. Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Abdulai, highlighted the collective responsibility of protecting Tacugama for future generations, while Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kadijatu Grace Kamara, described the initiative as “a pathway to the future where every visitor can experience the light of Sierra Leone.”

Once completed, the canopy walkway will create new avenues for eco-tourism, jobs, and entrepreneurship, particularly for young people and women in surrounding communities, while inspiring a new generation to view conservation as both a duty and a driver of sustainable livelihoods.