By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
After a long hiatus, TRACE decided it was time to return to Freetown and rediscover its beauty. Our journey began at one of the city’s most treasured landmarks: Levuma Beach. What we found, however, was far from the peaceful escape we had envisioned.
TRACE arrived at Levuma Beach around 5:00 PM GMT, eager to bask in the gentle sea breeze and spend a relaxing afternoon. Instead, we were confronted with a distressing reality. The once-famous beach has unfortunately devolved into a dumping ground, an unfinished construction site, and a makeshift settlement all rolled into one chaotic scene.
As we made our way along the river, which connects to Goderich, we were surprised by the disorganized construction of temporary shelters that stretched from the riverbank to the sandy shoreline. Navigating through this maze of cramped, overcrowded structures was difficult—it felt like we were wandering through a labyrinth that could lead us right into someone’s home. We eventually made it to the beachfront, but what we saw there was shocking.
The scene resembled a refugee camp, complete with plastic tarpaulins, sandbags, and makeshift barriers that looked like military fortifications. These barriers, however, were not erected for defensive purposes; rather, they were intended to prevent flooding. The once-pristine beach has devolved into a chaotic maze of structures, with unsupervised children playing dangerously close to the turbulent sea.
Levuma Beach, located on the outskirts of Freetown’s Western Urban District, was once a haven for peace and tranquillity. The name “Levuma,” which means “resting place” in Mende, accurately reflects its history as a peaceful retreat for weary travellers. The beach stretches for about a mile, from Lumley Beach to the mouth of Goderich Lagoon. For many years, it was a popular spot for novice swimmers and a hub for local fishermen, thanks to a stream behind the beach that formed a natural swimming pool. Unfortunately, this once-safe haven has succumbed to pollution.
The allure of Levuma Beach has faded significantly as sand mining and other trading activities have surpassed its natural beauty. The unfinished constructions endanger the beach, allowing crime and other related issues to flourish. Furthermore, the majority of the beach bars do not meet international standards, obscuring the breathtaking views of the ocean that once drew visitors in.
The most shocking discovery during our visit was the thick filth that covered the beach from one end to the other. Debris washed ashore by the sea mingled with waste dumped by residents, creating an unsightly and unsanitary environment.
This raises a pressing question: if an entire Ministry of Tourism and a National Tourist Board cannot maintain a mile-long beach, what purpose do they serve? Levuma Beach is uniquely positioned to attract tourists, especially given the stunning view of LOR Restaurants perched high above it. However, the beach’s charm has long since faded. The encroachment of sand miners and traders has transformed it into a noisy, polluted zone, obliterating the dream of establishing it as a premier tourist destination.
In April 2023, the former Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, visited Levuma Beach and praised a beach cleaning initiative led by philanthropist Mohamed Billy Musa. She emphasized the importance of Levuma as critical infrastructure and a potential tourist hotspot, promising a much-needed facelift. Unfortunately, her words seem to have fallen on deaf ears, as the situation has only worsened since her visit.
The once-relaxing atmosphere has vanished, and the picturesque landscape is rapidly deteriorating. Levuma Beach, once brimming with promise and potential, has sadly been reduced to a scrapyard. Urgent action must be taken to restore this beloved beach to its former glory, not only for the benefit of the local community but for the future of tourism in Freetown.
