Bahari Foundation kicks off campaign to protect Indian Ocean beaches

DAR ES SALAAM: CELEBRATED Tanzanian film star, Rammy Ahmed Ally, popularly known by his stage name Rammy Galis, has officially been appointed as an ambassador for the Bahari Foundation—an organization dedicated to the conservation of Tanzania’s marine environments and coastal beaches.

Speaking at a press briefing today, July 25, 2925, in Dar es Salaam, Rammy expressed gratitude for the appointment and promised to carry the responsibility with dedication, courage, and integrity.

“Being a voice for the environment is not a small task for me—it’s a tremendous responsibility that I will carry wholeheartedly. We must work together to protect, restore, and inspire action,” said Rammy.

He went on to highlight the numerous environmental challenges facing Tanzania’s coastal and marine ecosystems, including the accumulation of plastic and solid waste, pollution of ocean waters from domestic and industrial sources, unplanned and environmentally-unfriendly construction, and a lack of public environmental awareness.

According to Rammy, the consequences of neglecting marine conservation are severe—ranging from the decline of beach tourism and marine biodiversity, to increased diseases in coastal communities, the deterioration of livelihoods for fishermen, and worsening effects of climate change.

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“The ocean is not just something to look at—it is something to protect and care for. We are launching beach clean-up campaigns, introducing educational tools such as the children’s book ‘Tilly and the Turtle’ which teaches marine conservation from an early age, and improving waste disposal infrastructure in high-need areas,” he emphasized.

Faith Yona, the Director of Bahari Yetu, affirmed that the initiative would be ongoing and aims to educate the public on the critical importance of safeguarding marine environments for current and future generations.

“On August 2, 2025, we will partner with students from various schools to conduct a beach clean-up event as a practical demonstration of our commitment to environmental protection,” said Faith.

Rammy concluded with a powerful call to action:

“As the saying goes, many drops make a mighty river. Every small step—whether teaching a child, joining a clean-up, or spreading the message—contributes to meaningful change.”