Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has raised alarm over the continued loss of the city’s protected wetlands and forested areas, citing recent data from satellite imagery.
According to Google Earth images, Aberdeen Creek, which measured 537 acres in January 2017, had shrunk to 458 acres by February 2025. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr warned that ongoing construction could further reduce these critical ecosystems.
In a public statement, the Mayor emphasized the importance of preserving Freetown’s mangroves and forests. “Construction in our protected wetlands and in the Western Area National Park must NOT be allowed to continue! Freetown needs its mangroves and forests to retain our biodiversity, protect fish spawning sites, and safeguard our water catchment areas,” she said.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr stressed that these natural resources are not mere luxuries but essential assets for the city’s future, vital for ecological balance, climate resilience, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on fisheries and clean water.
The warning comes amid concerns that urban development is encroaching on fragile ecosystems, posing long-term risks to Freetown’s environment and sustainability.
