In a stirring event celebrating three decades of championing conservation, His Excellency Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and his wife, Mrs. Marie Manyeh, attended the 30th Anniversary Fundraising Gala of the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Thursday evening, 26/06/2025, at SOAS University’s Brunei Gallery in London.
The event brought together an impressive assembly of conservationists, academics, environmental scientists, and policy experts. Dr. Jane Goodall, globally renowned primatologist and United Nations Messenger of Peace, served as the keynote speaker. Hosted with grace and passion by veteran British actor and animal rights advocate Peter Egan, the evening highlighted Tacugama’s enduring legacy as a beacon of conservation in West Africa.
Founded in 1995 by Bala and Sharmila Amarasekaran, Tacugama has grown from a modest rescue centre into Sierra Leone’s premier eco-tourism and conservation hub, nestled in the forested hills along the tranquil Freetown Peninsula. The sanctuary provides lifelong care for chimpanzees rescued from illegal trafficking, habitat destruction, and the pet trade. The species, now Sierra Leone’s national animal, is proudly featured on the country’s biometric passport and stands as a symbol of its growing tourism campaign.
The anniversary was marked by a powerful and insightful panel discussion featuring Dr. Goodall and Bala Amarasekaran, who shared their personal journeys into conservation. Both stressed the urgent need to bridge science with community engagement, noting that preserving chimpanzees—who share 98.7% of human DNA—is inseparable from protecting forests, biodiversity, and clean water sources.
Dr. Goodall’s words resonated with clarity: “The first law of conservation is poverty alleviation,” a poignant reminder that environmental sustainability must benefit the communities who live alongside nature.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Manyeh conveyed greetings from His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, and praised Tacugama as a “remarkable symbol of resilience, vision, and environmental stewardship.” He commended Bala and Sharmila for transforming a single act of compassion—rescuing a baby chimpanzee in 1988—into a globally respected sanctuary that today employs over 200 staff and supports cutting-edge scientific research.
Dr. Manyeh outlined Sierra Leone’s growing leadership in conservation, highlighting the transformation of its Environment Department into a full-fledged Ministry in 2020, and the work of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in reforestation, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience.
“Our local actions,” he said, “reflect global commitments under agreements like the Paris Accord, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).”
He emphasized the importance of the Western Area Peninsula National Park, which protects over 17,000 hectares of forest—critical not only for wildlife but also for Freetown’s water supply and climate stability.
While celebrating Tacugama’s achievements, the High Commissioner also addressed persistent challenges: deforestation, unsustainable land use, illegal wildlife trade, and the growing impacts of climate change.
“We cannot afford complacency. We must act boldly, together,” he urged, calling on partners in the UK and beyond for “stronger collaboration, deeper investment, and continued advocacy.”
British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Ms. Josephine Gauld LVO, echoed these sentiments, commending the Tacugama team’s unwavering dedication and encouraging greater international support to sustain its vital mission.
The evening also featured a moving violin performance by Braimah and Aminata Kanneh-Mason, members of the internationally acclaimed Kanneh-Mason family, whose roots trace back to Sierra Leone.
The event, which also featured a charitable auction in support of Tacugama’s initiatives, was more than just a fundraiser—it was a heartfelt celebration of conservation, community, and our shared responsibility for the future of the planet.
(To support the work of the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, or to learn more about its education and conservation programs, visit www.tacugama.com.)
Abdulai Braima