UN Resident Coordinator hails Sierra Leone’s strong commitment to Food Systems national and global goals.

UN Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana today praised the Government of Sierra Leone for its steadfast commitment to the objectives outlined in the UN Food System Summit, noting that it has been on a journey towards transformational food system change since 2021.

She was speaking at the validation workshop on the review of progress against food systems pathways, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown by the Sun and Food Systems Coordination Unit in the Office of the Vice President of Sierra Leone. 

“Over the past five years, Sierra Leone has made noteworthy progress, underscoring the significance of this occasion to review our strides, adjust to rapidly changing contexts, and pinpoint areas for sustained investment and improvement,” the RC said.

Madam Wakana recognised the support from UN sister agencies, donors, development partners, academia, and civil society for what she described as a transformational agenda. She emphasised, “We are committed to maintaining this multi-stakeholder approach to comprehensively and inclusively meet the needs of Sierra Leone.” 

However, from a global context, the RC mentioned that despite commendable efforts, the current food system remains misaligned, failing to serve the impoverished and vulnerable segment of the population. “They fall short of reducing hunger, malnutrition, and diet-related diseases,” she said 

For her, a robust food systems approach that prioritises value addition, job creation, climate resilience and equitable development is imperative.

On behalf of the European Union, Fredrico Capurro expressed gratitude to all the governmental bodies involved in the exercise, to FAO for its extraordinary technical assistance, and to all the other stakeholders for their commitment and support.

He said that the presentations to be discussed would be the key to convincing political stakeholders that the money invested in Sierra Leone in the food system sector is not wasted, but they are essential to decrease the rates of food insecurity and malnutrition and important also to create new jobs opportunity in particular for youth through the creation of new enterprises in order to reinforce the agribusiness sector. 

In her keynote address, the Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, Manty Tarawalli, stated that food systems encompass more than just what we eat. “They influence our health, our economy, our environment, and the dignity of everyday life. They impact how children grow, how families earn a living, and how communities thrive. Globally, it is now clear that food systems are not just technical challenges.   They are deeply structural and political, “she said.

The Minister emphasised that the review is about the future and that its findings will shape the country’s contribution to the upcoming UNFSS+4 stock-taking movement next month. It will also guide national decisions on the next phase of food systems transformation.

Key findings of the World Food Organisation Sierra Leone Food Security Monitoring System Report of February 2024 indicate that 82 per cent of the population is food insecure, among which 18 per cent of households are severely food insecure.