By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a bold move to transform access to clean water and improve sanitation services across the country, the Government of Sierra Leone has officially launched a National Water and Sanitation Strategy aimed at reaching 4 million people by 2035. The unveiling ceremony took place at the Bintumani Conference Center in Aberdeen, Freetown, drawing national and international partners, including President Julius Maada Bio and representatives from the World Bank.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Isata Hannah Kpato Maxkyne, described the milestone as a direct result of tireless collaboration between her ministry, other government entities, and development partners.
She noted that upon her appointment in 2023, following the general elections, her ministry conducted an initial assessment that revealed deep-rooted challenges in the sector.
“Our findings showed a sector that was uncoordinated, under-resourced, and plagued by fragmented interventions,” Dr. Maxkyne said. “In response, we engaged constructively with our partners to identify strategic interventions, and today we are proud to launch this framework that will guide sector reform.”
The minister highlighted key support from the World Bank, noting three major outcomes of the collaboration. First, a poverty diagnostic of the water sector was commissioned to identify gaps in access, institutional constraints, and investment opportunities for sustainable service delivery. The resulting report provided the basis for designing a comprehensive water sector development programme.
Secondly, a dedicated team of consultants worked on the programme’s formulation, while a group of WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) experts partnered with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development to advance water security initiatives. Such collaborative efforts, which included input from district and city councils, sector agencies, and beneficiary communities, culminated in the launch event.
In his remarks, the World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone, Abdu Muwonge, said the strategy’s launch was the fulfilment of a pledge made by President Bio during a visit to World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC, two years ago.
“When President Bio visited us, he appealed for urgent support in the water and sanitation sector,” Muwonge said. “This strategy is the tangible result of that request. It lays out a clear 10-year roadmap for improving water and sanitation service delivery throughout Sierra Leone.”
He stressed that the issues go beyond water access to include water quality and institutional effectiveness. “Water-related diseases like cholera and diarrhoea are a direct consequence of these challenges,” he said. “Outside Freetown, many communities still struggle to access clean water. Fixing the institutions responsible—such as SALWACO and Guma Valley Water Company—is essential if we want to avoid wasted investments.”
Muwonge announced that part of the new programme would also include training future leaders in the water sector. A master’s degree programme in water resource management will be introduced at Fourah Bay College as part of capacity-building efforts.
The event was chaired by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor C. Bah, who was praised for his advocacy in water sector reform.
In his opening statement, he underscored the urgency of the initiative, revealing troubling statistics about the country’s water situation.
“Currently, 23 percent of Sierra Leoneans lack access to safe drinking water, and nearly half the population relies on unsafe water sources,” Bah said. “This has fuelled preventable diseases like diarrhoea and cholera for decades. We must act decisively.”
President Julius Maada Bio was also present at the launch, lending his full support to the strategy and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to water and sanitation as a national development priority.
The President commended the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and all partners involved for their dedication to addressing this critical sector.
The newly launched water and sanitation strategy is expected to usher in a coordinated and sustainable approach to water service delivery, institutional reform, community empowerment, and improved health outcomes.
With implementation already underway, the programme marks a significant step forward in Sierra Leone’s pursuit of equitable access to clean water and sanitation for all.
