By: Joseph Momoh, Reporter
WASH-Net, in collaboration with GOAL Sierra Leone and key stakeholders—including government officials, civil society organizations, and development partners—successfully conducted a one-day Heads of State Landscape Analysis Workshop at the Njala Venue in Freetown.
The workshop aimed to identify major barriers to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access in Sierra Leone and develop actionable recommendations for the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation (MoWRS). These recommendations will play a crucial role in Sierra Leone’s commitment to the Heads of State Initiative, a global movement focused on elevating WASH issues to the highest levels of government.
Supported by Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), the Government of the Netherlands, IRC WASH, and UNICEF, the Heads of State Initiative encourages political leaders to prioritize WASH in their agendas. Sierra Leone is preparing to join this global movement, with an emphasis on making WASH a national priority and accelerating progress toward universal access to clean water and sanitation. During the workshop, Musa Ansumana Soko, Team Lead of WASH-Net, outlined the workshop’s objectives and expected outcomes.
In his keynote address, Raymond S. Komba, Deputy Permanent Secretary of MoWRS, highlighted the WASH advocacy journey in Sierra Leone since 2010, acknowledging key successes while emphasizing critical areas for high-level discussion. The workshop equipped stakeholders with the skills needed to strengthen the WASH system in Sierra Leone, fostering a multi-stakeholder approach to eliminate inequalities and attract new investments.
The event featured focused discussions on key thematic areas such as water supply, governance, sanitation, and hygiene. Participants engaged in breakout sessions to assess the current WASH landscape, identify barriers, and propose viable solutions, culminating in strong recommendations for future action. This workshop marked a significant first step in advancing Sierra Leone’s WASH compact and mobilizing resources for universal access to WASH services.
