Bonthe Oyster Festival Boosts Livelihoods, Promotes Environmental Conservation
The 8th Annual Bonthe Oyster Festival, held on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th May 2026, has successfully concluded in Bonthe District, bringing together oyster harvesters, local authorities, and international partners in a celebration of culture, commerce, and conservation. The event, sponsored by Whitstable Oyster Trading Company in the United Kingdom, continues to build on the foundation previously supported by the Darwin Initiative.
The festival, held annually, aims to raise awareness about oysters while improving the livelihoods of those engaged in the oyster trade. Delivering the welcome address, Deputy Mayor of the Bonthe Municipal Council, Daniel Saidu Bangalie, expressed excitement in hosting the organizers. He noted that the festival has elevated local participation to national recognition, urging residents to treat the initiative with seriousness. He added that such programs require significant funding, which the council alone cannot sustain due to competing priorities.
Chief Organizer Dr. Sallieu Sankoh emphasized that the festival focuses on value addition, marketing promotion, and the sustainable use of natural resources within the district. He highlighted the remarkable growth in the oyster trade, noting that the price of oysters has risen from NLe 1 per cup to NLe 35, driven by increased demand. According to him, oysters from Bonthe now attract buyers from other West African countries, reflecting growing regional interest.
Professor Richard Wadsworth of Njala University underscored the environmental origins of the festival, stating that it was initially designed to promote the protection of mangroves. He stressed that mangroves are vital ecosystems that serve as breeding grounds for fish, protect coastlines from erosion, store carbon, and support biodiversity. He cautioned oyster harvesters against cutting mangroves while extracting oysters, warning that such practices threaten both the environment and human livelihoods.
Dr. Sankoh further revealed plans to expand the festival’s scope next year by introducing swimming training for women involved in oyster harvesting as a safety measure. He also disclosed plans to include a coconut oil competition aimed at improving product quality and encouraging diversification within the local economy.
Activities at this year’s festival began with a boat safety competition for paddlers and culminated in a variety of contests, including oyster opening and cooked oyster competitions. Mammie Sesay, winner of the oyster opening competition, expressed joy at her victory and appealed to organizers to consider her for a judging role in future editions. She walked away with a cash prize of Le 2,000 and a large cooking pot.
In the smoked oyster category, Isata Jabbie emerged winner, expressing appreciation for what she described as a free and fair competition. She encouraged organizers to sustain the festival, noting its importance to the community.
Other key organizers of the event included Alieu Kamara, Aminata Foday, Matilda Hai, Foday Rogers, and Mariama Salankulay.
Oysters play a critical role in both environmental sustainability and economic development. They naturally filter water, improving water quality and supporting marine ecosystems. Economically, oyster harvesting provides income for coastal communities, particularly women, contributing to food security and poverty reduction. The continued growth of the Bonthe Oyster Festival highlights the sector’s potential as a driver of sustainable local development.
As the curtain falls on this year’s event, stakeholders remain optimistic that the festival will continue to empower communities, protect vital ecosystems, and position Bonthe as a key hub for oyster production in the region.
