The recent proposal to re-demarcate the Western Area Peninsula National Park (WAPNP) is more than a technical adjustment of boundaries. It is a decision that risks dismantling the very foundation of Sierra Leone’s water security, environmental sustainability, and public health. As WASHNet, we stand firmly with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation (MoWRS) and…
During a recent project monitoring visit to Bombali District, a high-level meeting hosted by the District Council and chaired by Council Chairman Dr. Mohamed Babah Sesay revealed stark realities about the fragile state of local service delivery; particularly in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The meeting, which brought together representatives from the District Health Management…
In a world increasingly defined by floods, droughts, pandemics, and fragility, water is no longer just a development issue; it’s a survival issue. For countries like Sierra Leone and many others across the Global South, access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene is the frontline of resilience. Yet global efforts continue to treat water as…
As the global community faces rising climate pressures, persistent water scarcity, and systemic development challenges, one thing is increasingly clear: isolated responses are no longer enough. The interconnected nature of these crises demands an equally interconnected response; one that bridges ministries, sectors, and mandates. In the lead-up to the 2025 Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM) scheduled…
For far too long, Sierra Leone’s efforts to improve sanitation have faced an avoidable hurdle; one that has nothing to do with technical capacity or government policy, but rather with unresolved personal differences at the highest levels of our institutions. Immediately after the 2023 elections in Sierra Leone, a Presidential order issued a clear and…
Monday, 8th July 2025 marked a historic moment for Sierra Leone’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector, as His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially launched the Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project and the National WASH Sector Development Programme (NWASHSDP) at the Bintumani…
As world leaders, finance ministers, and sector specialists prepare for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), the global community finds itself at a decisive moment. The upcoming FfD4, immediately preceding the Sanitation and Water For All (SWA) Sector Ministers’ Meeting in Madrid will not be just another conference. It is an urgent…
Over the past few years, Sierra Leone has made significant macroeconomic progress. Inflation, which stood at a daunting 54.5% in 2020, has been reduced to 20.2% by 2024. This reflects deliberate fiscal consolidation and stabilization reforms. Yet, while macroeconomic indicators are improving, the real impact on essential services—particularly in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)—remains limited….
The recent transfer of Sierra Leone’s sanitation mandate from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is a bold policy shift that reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening WASH governance. However, such a fundamental change in institutional responsibility must be guided by deliberate planning, inclusive engagement, and a clear operational roadmap. As stakeholders across government, civil society, and development partners observe this transition, it is vital to ask: Are we asking the right questions?
As part of the ongoing efforts to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities, the District Health Management Team (DHMT) in Kono hosts a training session on the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Facility Improvement Tool (WASH FIT). This intervention forms part of the ongoing FCDO-funded project on Strengthening WASH Systems for Health, currently…