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27 November 2023
The Salone I’ll remember not to forget.
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22 November 2023
In farewell courtesy call on President Bio, UN Resident Coordinator hopeful for a new Sierra Leone.
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Speech
21 November 2023
Statement by the RC at the Inauguration of the Independent cross-party “Committee on Electoral Systems and Management Bodies review”
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Sierra Leone
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Sierra Leone:
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27 November 2023
The Salone I’ll remember not to forget.
As I end my tour of duty in Sierra Leone as the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UN RC), I can say that all things considered, I have far more to remember not to forget, than to forget. The last 38 months did throw up multiple external shocks and a few unwholesome internal dynamics that adversely impacted Sierra Leone. But even with the grave breaches of state security on 26th November, these months have largely been a fruitful experience for me, leading the UN country team in its efforts to support and accompany the country’s quest for sustainable development and durable peace.
Borrowing in a flipped manner from the title of the 2013 poem, ‘Always Remember to Forget’ by Albashir Adam Alhassan, I am leaving Salone primed to always remember not to forget the critical building blocks that are being put in place that would help the country in the not-too-distant future realize its huge development potentials. This is partly because of the association of the United Nations with the molding of some of these building blocks. But far more motivating for me has been the role of the government and the good people of Sierra Leone in casting these essential building blocks for economic and social transformation.
So, I’ll always remember not to forget the following recent trends and developments that are likely to yield the country significant returns in poverty reduction, food security, social harmony, and national resilience.
First, elite consensus on the imperative of peaceful resolution of political and other grievances via dialogue has been further solidified by the 18th October 2023 Political Agreement for National Unity. This historic agreement, which was signed between the main opposition party (APC) and the government after an internationally mediated dialogue to resolve the political impasse that followed the June 2023 general elections, may be viewed as the manifestation of a deep conviction among Sierra Leonean leaders to never again resort to violence to resolve political differences and disputes. This can only be good for nation-building, social progress, and development.
Second, it would be hard to forget Sierra Leone’s uniquely high level of inter-religious harmony and tolerance. It is the only country among the nearly 50 that I have paid extended visits to where there are so many people bearing Christian-sounding names but are practicing Moslems, and so many people bearing Islamic names that are practicing Christians. It is also the only one where so many of its political leaders of the Christian faith regularly recite the basic Islamic prayer – the Al-Fathia - at public gatherings, and so many political leaders of the Islamic faith regularly recite the basic Christian prayer – the Our Father - at public functions. When coupled with the country’s high rate of inter-ethnic marriages, it is not surprising that many political analysts largely attribute the polarizing and divisive nature of politics in Sierra Leone, especially during elections, to the irresponsible exploitation and instrumentalization of latent primordial sentiments of ordinary people by leading politicians for electoral advantages.
Third, progress on the gender equality agenda in recent years has set Sierra Leone apart from countries in West Africa as a pacesetter in the empowerment of women and girls. I will always remember not to forget how, through advocacy, technical assistance, and multistakeholder engagements, several UN agencies supported and worked with the government in its adoption of new strategies, programs, policies, and laws that are helping to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE). In particular, the GEWE law passed in November 2022 has led to women constituting about one-third of the current cabinet and Parliament. More sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases are now being prosecuted with harsher penalties for perpetrators while one-stop centers have been established across six regions to better prevent SGBV and address the treatment, psycho-social, and justice needs of survivors. Also, capitalizing on the delivery infrastructure provided by the expanded educational system, most 10-year girls in Sierra Leone early last year received the HPV vaccine, which will provide most of them lifelong protection against cervical cancer, a cancer that kills more women than any other cancer in Africa according to the WHO.
Fourth, continuing with the theme of health, how can I ever forget that Sierra Leone was one of the few countries in Africa that developed a national COVID-19 prevention and control strategy even before its first case of infection was identified? When I resumed in Sierra Leone as UN RC in late September 2020, at the height of the pandemic, there was widespread fear that the country would be decimated by very high rates of COVID-19-associated illnesses and deaths. In the end, due to the proactive multisectoral national response, the pandemic turned out to be less of a public health challenge and more of an economic adversity, with the country also being one of the first in West Africa to fully vaccinate more than 70 percent of the target population against the coronavirus. Added to the notable progress being made in significantly reducing pregnancy-related and early childhood deaths, as well as massive expansion in access to basic and senior secondary education for Sierra Leonean children and adolescents (who represent more than 65 percent of the population), the emerging picture is one of notable enhancement of the human capital of the country that would surely propel its economic and social transformation in the coming years.
Fifth, the Salone that I’ll always remember not to forget is the one with rich and spectacularly scenic natural endowments. It is a country literally awash with water bodies, including 12 rivers and an extensive coastline, and a country generously blessed with wide lush green cover and stupendous biodiversity (albeit under severe threat by rapid deforestation). These two natural assets alone portend massive economic growth opportunities from eco-tourism and the blue economy if appropriately exploited and managed. Alongside its other impressive natural assets of precious metals, critical minerals, and solar endowment, there is clearly a pressing need to better use these huge gifts of nature to leverage climate finance and nature-based technologies and solutions to drive the country’s quest for economic recovery and inclusive, green, and sustainable economic growth. The country must begin to systematically step away from merely exporting most of its natural resources cheaply as primary products. Hopefully, the government’s flagship program - Feed Salone, which seeks to simultaneously address food insecurity, malnutrition, unemployment, poverty, and climate change alongside the complementary Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, will help Sierra Leone make this sorely needed shift in its development strategy.
Sixth, I will certainly miss the dynamism and resilience of the youth, persons living with disabilities, and smallholder farmers across the country who are often not fully empowered as agents and beneficiaries of the development process. Sierra Leone must do more to support disability rights as an essential condition for upholding human rights, sustainable development, peace, and security. Similarly, the flagship Feed Salone Program will only yield a significant and sustainable impact if smallholder farmers are at its core. Further, with 15-34-year-olds representing a third of the country's population, Sierra Leone cannot possibly achieve its aspiration to become a middle-income country by 2035 without investing in the capacity, agency, and leadership of young women and men to collaboratively lead development efforts and to tackle other challenges that affect their lives including the escalating problem of substance (Kush) abuse.
Seventh, as a Nigerian married to a Ghanaian who has lived and worked in Ghana and has also travelled frequently to other West African countries, I have tasted a wide variety of jollof rice, including Sierra Leonean jollof rice. I was frequently put on the spot in the last 38 months by Sierra Leonean friends and colleagues to indicate which West African country offered the best jollof rice! So, I am glad to be moving to a country where I do not expect to be asked diplomatically delicate questions about jollof rice.
Finally, I will always remember not to forget the several stakeholders, including development partners, NGOs, the mass media, the academia, youth groups, faith-based organizations, and private sector entities that collaborate with the UN in its support of the country’s pursuit of necessary policy reforms to prevent its economic collapse and facilitate its return to the path of sustainable development. I am convinced that these joint efforts will yield even bigger and faster development gains for Sierra Leone if significant sections of the elite could become less motivated by selfish, narrow interests, privilege the long-term over the short-term, look more inward than outward, be more patriotic, and act more consistently for the common good. In the final analysis, the future of Sierra Leone is in the hands of Sierra Leoneans.

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22 November 2023
In farewell courtesy call on President Bio, UN Resident Coordinator hopeful for a new Sierra Leone.
At a farewell courtesy call on President Julius Maada Bio at the State House yesterday, Tuesday, the outgoing United Nations Resident Coordinator (UN RC) Mr. Babatunde Ahonsi expressed his hope that with the building blocks in place, “we can begin to imagine a new Sierra Leone in our lifetime.”
He told the President that he considers Sierra Leone his adopted country and his assignment in the past three years as a contribution to its development aspirations.
The UN RC recalled that he came to the country at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but as it turned out, it was more of a socio-economic than a health challenge. “Sierra Leone had a response programme in place even before the first case was reported,” he said.
He attributed this to the President and his Government and the resilience of Sierra Leoneans in dealing with the crisis. He also praised the administration for efforts that have been made in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, and peace.
According to Mr. Ahonsi, “I see Sierra Leone as a glass that is half full and with a successful agri-food system in place, the sky is the limit,” adding that the multiplier effect of transforming the food system in the country will be huge.
He also singled out efforts by the country to vaccinate 10-year-old girls using the school system with the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV). The outgoing RC said that in the next 10-15 years, women in Sierra Leone would have been spared of cervical cancer, a disease that kills more women than any other cancer in Africa, according to WHO.
Mr. Ahonsi noted that the passing of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act during his time in Sierra Leone as transformative and thanked the President for the longstanding partnership with the United Nations. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve in Sierra Leone,” he said to Mr. President.
In response, the President thanked Mr. Ahonsi for his tour of duty to Sierra Leone. He said he was happy that he had justified “many of our steadfastness” and that his Government remained consistent in delivering for the people.
“We continue to work very hard to maintain stability and are genuinely interested in achieving a middle-income status by 2035,” said Mr. President.
He emphasised that agriculture has a multiplier effect, and with a youth bulge, it can help to stimulate economic growth. “We have also not forgotten our commitment to education,” said Mr. President.
The President wished the outgoing RC all the best in his new assignment in Turkey and said on behalf of his Government and the people of Sierra Leone, “You have our support and best wishes.”
Mr. Ahonsi ends his tour of duty to Sierra Leone on Wednesday, 28 November, and he will be succeeded by Ms. Seraphine Wakana, who arrives in the country on 6 December.
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Story
16 November 2023
At Kush Town Hall Meeting, UN Resident Coordinator wants the youth to be part of the solution.
Outgoing United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) Babatunde Ahonsi has emphasised the importance of using a comprehensive youth approach to addressing the challenges of drug addiction, especially Kush, on the youth of Sierra Leone.
Expressing concerns over the Kush crisis at a Town Hall meeting organised by the UN Country Team last Friday at the New Brookfield’s Hotel, Mr. Ahonsi said young people are already faced with many challenges, including livelihood and the lack of gainful employment. "Combining that with Kush is daunting and must be addressed, the root cause tackled, and the suppliers disrupted".
The RC said that there is no way the country can realise its development priorities if young people are not part of the effort to transform the country, adding, "If young people are suffering from the impact of the widespread white substances, then they will not be able to assume the role of being change agents.
He applauded the Government’s efforts in dealing with the issues, stating that the drug users are mere victims of circumstances. He said the UN is looking forward to supporting a holistic approach. "At the United Nations, it is this comprehensive, holistic approach that informs our thinking about what we can do additionally to support the government and other partners to address this issue."
The Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs. Melrose Karminty, commended the United Nations for its timely contribution to addressing the challenges of Kush addiction among the youth. She revealed that the government’s position on the issue is to decriminalize and rehabilitate the users and, rather, punish the pushers.
She also stated that the Government's approach to addressing the impact of the white substances on youth will be multidimensional, collaborating with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Partners, and the youth to raise awareness and take robust measures to end the menace.
Mrs. Karmity further said that the Government was establishing a rehab centre to support the rehabilitation of and recovery of substance abuse victims and called on the youth to take advantage of upcoming opportunities in the Government's Big Five Changers to be more empowered to build a resilient society.
Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation 1, Professor Charles Senessie admits that Kush is a great cause for concern but that actions have been mounted with some key mounting points to start with
Following the opening remarks was a panel discussion that included the RC, the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, two people with personal experience of drug use, and the Program Coordinator of a rehab centre that was gutted by fire a while back. The discussion emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive support system that addresses the root causes of addiction while empowering youth to build resilience and lead fulfilling lives.
Augusta Johnny, the Program Coordinator of City of Rest, stresses the importance of early intervention programs, education, and community engagement to prevent drug abuse and provide necessary support to those already affected.
She said the fire incident at the only private centre that used to provide rehab support to individuals suffering from drug addiction had caused a severe impact on the uptake of Kush incidents, leaving victims to die in the street because of a lack of facilities to cater to their needs.
One of the key points highlighted during the discussion was the alarming rise in substance abuse among young people, posing a significant threat to their physical and mental well-being. The light was also shed on the need for a holistic approach that involves collaboration between various stakeholders, including government bodies, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and community organisations.
Among the testimonies given during the program was Mohamed, who said he quit his job, withdrew his savings from the bank, sold his property, and abandoned his wife and children to satisfy his addiction to the substance.
Ramatulai Tunkara, also known as Mama Salone, disclosed, "Sometimes when I wake up from sleep without smoking, my body and joints ache. After smoking two to five joints of Kush, I feel okay. I feel all right, my meditation changes, and my mood becomes cool."
On behalf of his organisation, the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Innocent Nuwagira, committed to working with various stakeholders to reduce the effects of the Kush vice on young people for a healthier population and development. He also stated that he will support quarterly town hall discussions for youth and different stakeholders on drug and substance abuse.
The theme for the Town Hall moderated by journalist Umaru Fofana was "The Challenge of Kush Addiction, Youth Resilience & Sustainable Development in Sierra Leone," and about 150 youth drawn from the Federation of Urban and Rural Poor (FedURP) and the Global Youth Network attended in the event in addition to the media, development partners and other stakeholders.
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Story
08 November 2023
Celebrating UN at 78 with the residents of the Freetown Cheshire Home
Certain places are special in our lives, where memories intertwine with the walls and corridors. One such place for me is the Freetown Cheshire Home. This was founded in 1962 to support and raise people with disabilities. It came to be after the Second World War after a man called Leonard Cheshire witnessed the destruction caused by war and drew pity to save and give a new future to those extremely affected by the war.
Recently, I embarked on a nostalgic journey to revisit this cherished abode. This time, it was to celebrate the 78th Anniversary of the United Nations with the lovely residents of the home. As is now a permanent fixture in the calendar of activities of the UN in Sierra Leone, each time the day is observed, the anniversary cake is donated to a facility for children and young people. Thus, when my colleagues at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, where I now work as a Partnerships and Knowledge Management Officer, asked for suggestions on where to donate the cake this time, my former home came to mind. I did not think twice. I suggested, and they accepted. The next day, we meandered our way through the traffic east of the city for Race Course, the home of Cheshire Home.
On my return, what we discovered was a captivating blend of emotions, reminiscence, and personal growth.
As I stepped through the familiar entrance, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. The scent of an aged cotton tree in front of the girl's quarter and the beautiful flowers greeted me, instantly transporting me back to a time when this place was my sanctuary. The boarding home, once bustling with life, now stood in a tranquil stillness, waiting to reveal its uniqueness and hope.
My first memory of the Cheshire Home was as a day scholar when I was enrolled in Class One two decades ago. I was brought to town from a village behind Kabala that I cannot remember now. I could not speak Krio, let alone English, and the latter was the only means of communication in the school where deviants were punished with the Black spot – a coin given to one caught speaking Krio and where the last person with the spot on the day is sentenced to the cleaning of the girls' dormitory. During my formative years, I was found wanting a number of times.
Meeting the current residents, who now call this place home, was a heartwarming experience. Listening to their stories being told by the chairperson and caregivers, I discovered common threads that connected me back to my days in the home. The Freetown Cheshire home had become a bridge between the past and the present, a testament to the enduring spirit of community and belonging. It has transformed the lives of so many physically challenged people in the country who are now serving in different spheres of life, ranging from doctors, lawyers, managers, teachers, and the like.
Amidst the success of the home, it is now faced with great challenges that cannot be overlooked if we want to impact the lives of the young pupils of the home.
Currently, the home is constrained with food to feed the children, both resident and non-resident, amounting to a hundred persons. Years back, which I can vividly remember, the home used to get food donations from Rome-based donors and other NGOs, which was a big aid to the home, but according to the chairperson, Dr. Abdulai Dumbuya, all this support stopped a while back, leaving him to scramble his way out to feed the children.
Noting the challenges, Dr Abdulai mentioned the effect of late government subventions, which, according to him, has caused a lot of constraints in securing his staff and effectively taking care of the children. According to him, most staff who came with a determination to support the children had to quit their jobs because of late salaries since it normally takes some time for the home to pay them. He disclosed that the home is left now with workers passionate about serving these children, but deep within him, he is not pleased with the situation as he believes in decent work for all.
The home has no disability-friendly vehicle to transport the children to their various schools. According to the chairperson, the government shortlisted forty homes that would benefit from the fifty disability-friendly buses that would be given to these homes, but Freetown Cheshire Home was omitted. He added that the home only has one vehicle, which was donated by the World Bank years ago. Whenever that vehicle had serious maintenance problems, it became challenging to support the children at their different schools.
As I glanced through the familiar spaces and faces, I could not help but reflect on the lessons this home had taught me. It was here that I learned the value of independence, resilience, and adaptability. Living among diverse individuals from different backgrounds, I discovered the beauty of embracing differences, finding common ground, and looking beyond my disability. This home had prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
Returning to this place allowed me to appreciate the journey I had undertaken and the person I had become, and I realised that every child deserves equal opportunities and a chance to thrive.
By addressing these challenges, we can make a significant impact on the lives of these children and the staff of the home.
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Story
30 October 2023
At beach cleaning, UN Resident Coordinator calls for nature to be taken care of to avoid a counterpunch.
To round off activities marking this year’s 78th Anniversary of the United Nations, members of the UN family in Sierra Leone engaged last Friday morning in a cleaning exercise of a long stretch of Lumley Beach in Freetown. The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) Babatunde Ahonsi, at the exercise, warned Sierra Leoneans to take care of their natural surroundings.
Speaking to the media during the cleaning exercise, he said Sierra Leoneans should inculcate the habit of maintaining proper hygiene by embarking on regular cleaning exercises both at home and in their communities. The RC said the exercise was a productive way beyond symbolism to highlight actions to ensure that Sierra Leone develops climate resilience and that the country can take advantage of natural resources to advance national development priorities with climate action as a priority.
“If you want to be climate responsible, it is something you should do every day or else, nature will counter-punch us, and when it counter-punches, we will not be able to withstand,” he emphasized. In Sierra Leone and the rest of the world, the RC also said we have seen an increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. This, according to him, is because nature has been abused over decades and centuries. “We should stop this habit of use and throw,” Mr. Ahonsi stressed.
WHO’s Country Representative a.i., Dr. Innocent Nuwagira, said “I would like to encourage the young, the old, men and women to engage in cleaning the environment. Let us keep the beaches, the city, our homes, and our surroundings clean, and by that, we are making sure that the health of our people is our direct responsibility.”
UNDP Resident Representative Frederick Ampiah told the media that the cleanliness of the beaches is a major step to putting the country’s ecotourism sector in the spotlight. “Sierra Leone is one of the few countries with the most scenic views on the West Coast of Africa. As UNDP, part of our support to the government and the people of Sierra Leone is to help them position this in ecotourism, and a key dimension of this is our beaches,” he disclosed.
Setcheme Mongbo, who heads the UN Women's Office in Sierra Leone, said that the cleaning exercise was an important wake-up call to how society can succeed in several aspects, including domestic and communal hygiene. “Seeing men and women together doing the free cleaning of the environment is especially important”.
The close to four hundred participants in the cleaning exercise that started from the Atlantic area, opposite the Freetown Golf Club to the Atlantic Hotel, were drawn from the various UN agencies, funds, and programmes in Sierra Leone.
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Story
30 October 2023
Sierra Leone’s ambition for mobile healthcare is raised with the presence of Mercy Ship.
During a visit Friday to the Mercy Ship docked at Queen Elizabeth 11 Quay in Freetown since August this year, United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC), Mr Babatunde Ahonsi, said the UN Country Team is uplifted by the difference that the service rendered by the Ship known as the Global Mercy is making to the surrounding community, to benefiting patients, and to Sierra leone.
During a tour conducted by Mercy Ship’s Country Director, Dr Sandra Lako, of the eleven-deck world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, the RC said that for the individuals benefiting from the surgeries, the experience is life-transforming and that the boost to specialized human resources for health in the country through the training component could be significant.
Through Dr Lako, the RC congratulated the 641 volunteers comprising medical, technical, and general personnel, 300 of whom are from Sierra Leone, for the work they continue to do till June next year when the Ship is expected to depart the shores of Sierra Leone.
“I hope the country appreciates the difference it has made,” Mr Ahonsi said, adding that Sierra Leone is lucky to have the Global Mercy Ship around.
After a briefing on the traineeship opportunities that the medical practitioners in the country, especially from the Connaught Hospital, will benefit from during the Ship’s stay in Sierra Leone, Mr Ahonsi emphasized that he hopes that it will help raise the level of ambition for mobile health care in the country. “Anything that helps to strengthen healthcare delivery is good for Sierra Leone,” he said.
In responding, Dr Lako said that the need for surgical care, both in Freetown and upcountry, could be addressed to a certain extent by mobile clinics and indicated that it is great that the Ship’s visit has encouraged others to be more focused on engaging in mobile healthcare. For now, she does not think this would be a particular area that Mercy Ships would get involved in.
On their collaboration with the Connaught Hospital, she said, “Mercy Ships is working in partnership with Connaught Hospital to strengthen surgical care. This programme is still being developed together with our partners. We also have surgical and anaesthetic doctors and nurses from Connaught Hospital rotating on board for training and shared learning opportunities,” she said.
For ten months, according to Dr Lako, the Ship will provide some 2,350 safe and free surgeries on board to Sierra Leoneans, and it will include safe surgical and dental care, as well as advanced medical training and mentoring.
She said she was grateful for the visit led by the RC and accompanied by the Heads of FAO, Mr Saeed Bancie, and UNIDO, Mrs Mariatu Swaray. “We are grateful we are in a country where our services are appreciated,” the Country Director said.
The team had the opportunity to meet with the Captain of the Ship and also visited the hospital and learning academy, among others.
Mercy Ship came to Sierra Leone due to an invitation by the Government, and it marks the sixth instance of the collaboration between the Ship and the country.
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Press Release
11 October 2023
UNOPS and UN Women campaign calls to empower rural women.
To mark International Rural Women’s Day, UNOPS and UN Women launched a social media campaign and events to call for action to empower women in rural areas so they be better equipped to contribute to food security and climate change adaptation in their communities.
● From 9 October to 15 October (International Rural Women’s Day), UNOPS and UN Women across Africa will be sharing messages on social media and hosting events in different African cities such as Harare (Zimbabwe), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Kinshasa (DRC) and Juba (South Sudan), among others.
● The joint campaign aims to promote the role rural women play in supporting their households in achieving food security, generating income, improving rural livelihoods, and building climate change resilience.
● In Freetown, Sierra Leone, UNOPS and UN Women will be having a panel discussion and exclusive interview on radio and TV on the empowerment of rural women and their role in climate change and food security, infrastructure development and challenges.
Freetown, Sierra Leone, 08 October 2023 ― UNOPS and UN Women are marking International Rural Women’s Day by launching a joint campaign to underline the contribution of rural women to development in Africa and highlight the importance of investing in gender-sensitive infrastructure that will allow them to better contribute to food
security and climate adaptation.
The objective of the campaign is to call policy and decision-makers, societies, and international partners to action in supporting gender-responsive infrastructure in Africa that can empower rural women to access productive resources and opportunities, accelerate their socio-economic mobility, and boost gender contribution to climate adaptation and food security.
The campaign will include joint activities in several African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Zimbabwe, among others. These events will be supported by a social media campaign in UNOPS and UN Women regional and national channels in Africa.
On 13th October, UN Women Africa and UNOPS Africa will be hosting a live conversation, where stakeholders ―including a woman from an African rural area and a specialized journalist― will highlight the importance of addressing persistent gender gaps in the response to climate change and food insecurity.
In Freetown, Sierra Leone, UNOPS and UN Women will be having a panel discussion and exclusive interview on radio and TV on the empowerment of rural women and their role in climate change and food security, infrastructure development and current challenges. UNOPS Director a.i. for Africa Region, Dalila Gonçalves, said: “Gender-blind infrastructure limits women’s access to financial resources, land, education, health, and other rights and opportunities. Also, it limits their capacity for coping with and adapting to climate change impacts. Women can play an active role as change-makers and educators in embedding sustainability within different infrastructure sectors. Supporting the empowerment of rural women through gender-responsive infrastructure, UNOPS helps low and middle-income countries across Africa in their journey toward the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.”
UN Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa and Regional Director a.i for West and Central Africa, Dr. Maxime Houinato, said: “Rural African women's pivotal role in bolstering regional economies and combating poverty is irrefutable. Yet, they grapple with pronounced challenges in securing vital agricultural resources, restricting their agricultural productivity and impacting their adaptability to climate change. UN Women studies reveal that gender disparities in agriculture have a direct impact on the economic growth of countries ranging from 13 to 28 per cent of GDP, equivalent to annually elevating 80,000 to 238,000 individuals above the poverty line per country. It's imperative that we advance programmes and policies that increase financing for rural women’s access to
labour and time-saving equipment and services, fostering gender equality and improving rural women’s economic security."
According to UN Women, women make up more than 50 percent of Africa’s population and 80 percent of them reside in rural areas. The International Labour Organization states that giving women the same opportunities as men could raise agricultural production by 2.5 to 4 percent in the poorest regions and reduce the number of malnourished people by 12 to 17 percent.
The UNOPS Report, ‘Infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women’, stated that in rural areas, inadequate infrastructure services disproportionately affect women’s time use because they bear the burden of household tasks, like collecting water and firewood, cooking, cleaning, and providing childcare. This limits the time available for pursuing educational, economic, or social activities. Women also face disadvantages when it comes to land and livestock ownership or equal pay, which hamper their productivity and growth, resulting in weak rural economies and impacting the local and global food systems and climate adaptation capacity.
● From 9 October to 15 October (International Rural Women’s Day), UNOPS and UN Women across Africa will be sharing messages on social media and hosting events in different African cities such as Harare (Zimbabwe), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Kinshasa (DRC) and Juba (South Sudan), among others.
● The joint campaign aims to promote the role rural women play in supporting their households in achieving food security, generating income, improving rural livelihoods, and building climate change resilience.
● In Freetown, Sierra Leone, UNOPS and UN Women will be having a panel discussion and exclusive interview on radio and TV on the empowerment of rural women and their role in climate change and food security, infrastructure development and challenges.
Freetown, Sierra Leone, 08 October 2023 ― UNOPS and UN Women are marking International Rural Women’s Day by launching a joint campaign to underline the contribution of rural women to development in Africa and highlight the importance of investing in gender-sensitive infrastructure that will allow them to better contribute to food
security and climate adaptation.
The objective of the campaign is to call policy and decision-makers, societies, and international partners to action in supporting gender-responsive infrastructure in Africa that can empower rural women to access productive resources and opportunities, accelerate their socio-economic mobility, and boost gender contribution to climate adaptation and food security.
The campaign will include joint activities in several African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Zimbabwe, among others. These events will be supported by a social media campaign in UNOPS and UN Women regional and national channels in Africa.
On 13th October, UN Women Africa and UNOPS Africa will be hosting a live conversation, where stakeholders ―including a woman from an African rural area and a specialized journalist― will highlight the importance of addressing persistent gender gaps in the response to climate change and food insecurity.
In Freetown, Sierra Leone, UNOPS and UN Women will be having a panel discussion and exclusive interview on radio and TV on the empowerment of rural women and their role in climate change and food security, infrastructure development and current challenges. UNOPS Director a.i. for Africa Region, Dalila Gonçalves, said: “Gender-blind infrastructure limits women’s access to financial resources, land, education, health, and other rights and opportunities. Also, it limits their capacity for coping with and adapting to climate change impacts. Women can play an active role as change-makers and educators in embedding sustainability within different infrastructure sectors. Supporting the empowerment of rural women through gender-responsive infrastructure, UNOPS helps low and middle-income countries across Africa in their journey toward the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.”
UN Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa and Regional Director a.i for West and Central Africa, Dr. Maxime Houinato, said: “Rural African women's pivotal role in bolstering regional economies and combating poverty is irrefutable. Yet, they grapple with pronounced challenges in securing vital agricultural resources, restricting their agricultural productivity and impacting their adaptability to climate change. UN Women studies reveal that gender disparities in agriculture have a direct impact on the economic growth of countries ranging from 13 to 28 per cent of GDP, equivalent to annually elevating 80,000 to 238,000 individuals above the poverty line per country. It's imperative that we advance programmes and policies that increase financing for rural women’s access to
labour and time-saving equipment and services, fostering gender equality and improving rural women’s economic security."
According to UN Women, women make up more than 50 percent of Africa’s population and 80 percent of them reside in rural areas. The International Labour Organization states that giving women the same opportunities as men could raise agricultural production by 2.5 to 4 percent in the poorest regions and reduce the number of malnourished people by 12 to 17 percent.
The UNOPS Report, ‘Infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women’, stated that in rural areas, inadequate infrastructure services disproportionately affect women’s time use because they bear the burden of household tasks, like collecting water and firewood, cooking, cleaning, and providing childcare. This limits the time available for pursuing educational, economic, or social activities. Women also face disadvantages when it comes to land and livestock ownership or equal pay, which hamper their productivity and growth, resulting in weak rural economies and impacting the local and global food systems and climate adaptation capacity.
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Press Release
23 June 2023
On the eve of the General Elections in Sierra Leone, SRSG Simaõ calls on all parties to uphold their commitment for peaceful, transparent and credible elections
Dakar, 23 June 2023 - On the eve of the general elections in Sierra Leone, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simaõ, welcomes the country’s renewed commitment to hold peaceful, transparent, and credible elections.
He calls on the signatories of the 25 May 2023 Peace Pledge to abide by their commitment and promote the conditions for a peaceful election. He urges all parties to refrain from any acts, discourse and statements that could undermine the integrity of the process.
The Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel reaffirms the engagement of the United Nations, in coordination with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and members of the international community, to support Sierra Leone in its efforts to consolidate peace, democracy and development.
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Press Release
26 May 2023
United Nations in Sierra Leone announces the formation of its Youth Advisory Group.
The United Nations in Sierra Leone is pleased to announce that after reviewing over 1000 applications from young people across Sierra Leone, 12 persons have been selected for the first UN Youth Advisory Group (UN YAG) in Sierra Leone.
The UN YAG is a group of individuals and representatives of UN Sierra Leone’s stakeholders who have been nominated (either through self-nomination or through a UN Agency) and selected through a diverse team using select criteria. These criteria aimed at a diverse panel taking into consideration gender and geography.
It will advise the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Sierra Leone on key youth issues of importance.
Members of the UN YAG play a crucial role by providing new perspectives, information, ideas, critiques, and lessons learned to the United Nations Country Team (UNCT). It will be the primary mechanism for accountability of Youth to the UNCT and of UNCT to Youth, as envisaged by the Youth2030 Scorecard.
UNFPA Representative Nadia Rasheed, who Chairs the Youth Thematic Team (YTT), indicated that “robust engagement of young people is critical to the success of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and as the UN, we are committed to partnering with young people in developing and implementing our programmes and ensuring that their needs are addressed."
Furthermore, Ms Rasheed emphasised that the Group represents all regions of Sierra Leone and will it bring diverse perspectives to inform the work of the UN and position youth voices at the forefront of development efforts.
The objective of working with and for youth is to ensure that UN programmes can better address youth issues and concerns. UN YAG Members will also have an opportunity to learn more about UN programmes in Sierra Leone and the functioning of the United Nations globally.
Membership is for one year, and the UNCT is grateful to the candidates who have all confirmed their willingness to perform the tasks to be assigned.
The next steps shall include an Onboarding process and the Launch of the UN YAG, of which the Youth of Sierra Leone would be duly informed of the process.
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Press Release
08 May 2023
Statement on the passing of Sunil Saigal, former UN Resident Coordinator to Sierra Leone.
Freetown, 8 May 2023: It is with great sadness that we received the news of the passing of my predecessor, the former UN Resident Coordinator (RC) to Sierra Leone, Mr. Sunil Saigal.
Sunil, who was born in Denmark, was the UN RC and UNDP Resident Representative to Sierra Leone from April 2016 to September 2020. He was also the Principal Coordinator of UNDP’s Response to the Ebola outbreak.
Sunil is unanimously remembered in Sierra Leone by partners and former colleagues for his down-to-earth and collegial disposition, his exceptional dedication to the advancement of the well-being and rights of vulnerable populations, his strong commitment to the values of the UN, and as a good team captain, who skillfully harnessed the assets of all team members to ensure the UN’s sustained support for Sierra Leone’s quest for the SDGs.
He will sorely be missed by colleagues and partners that he worked with during his tour of duty to Sierra Leone, his family, friends, and other loved ones.
On behalf of the UN Country Team, I convey my deepest condolences to his family.
May the departed soul of our former colleague rest in peace.
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Press Release
25 April 2023
Statement on behalf of the UN Country Team on Sierra Leone’s 62nd Independence Day anniversary.
Sierra Leoneans, Unu adu o
Me na Nadia Rasheed, the UNFPA Country Representative n the UN Resident Coordinator ad interim.
Tiday, ar bring una greetings from the 21 UN agencies, funds and programmes way de work na Salone.
I am pleased to convey my warmest congratulations, on behalf of the United Nations (UN) Country Team, to the Government and people of Sierra Leone on the country’s 62nd Independence Day Anniversary.
As we celebrate this special anniversary, we commend the progress made by Sierra Leone in consolidating peace and democracy. Sierra Leone is one of a few countries that once hosted UN Peacekeeping operations, but the country now proudly deploys its peacekeepers to other countries that need international support.
The UN continues to enjoy a strong partnership with the people of Sierra Leone based on shared values and common interests. As a Country Team, we work as ‘One UN’ with the Government and development partners to deliver sustainable development interventions for people, prosperity, planet, partnership, and peace.
Sierra Leone will hold presidential, parliamentary, and local council elections in June of this year. The UN has accompanied Sierra Leone during all post-war elections. All elections were characterized as credible by international observers, and the upcoming elections will be the second since the end of the civil war to be held without the presence of a UN peacekeeping or political mission.
Sierra Leone has good reason to be proud of this evolution. At the same time, national institutions, political actors and all Sierra Leoneans have a great responsibility to ensure that the country remains peaceful and stable and continues to grow and prosper for the benefit of all.
On this occasion of the country’s Independence Day, I would like to reiterate the commitment of the UN to supporting the people of Sierra Leone and national institutions in sustaining the important gains which this country has made so commendably to ensure peace and democracy.
On behalf of the UN Country Team. Let me wish all Sierra Leonean’s a very happy INDEPENDENCE DAY.
Nadia Rasheed
Resident Coordinator ad interim
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