Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698842064368.pdf (Sierra Leone)
Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio On Tuesday 10th May 2022 Done by: The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) of Sierra Leone  For more information contact, The Director, Parliamentary Budget Office Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone Tower Hill, Freetown Tel: +23278-221787 Email: posl2018@gmail.com  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio 1.0 Introduction The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) established in 2017 is principally responsible to support Members of Parliaments (MPs) on Public Financial Management, Econometrics, and Public Policy-related issues with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of debate and laws enacted.
In achieving the above, one critical area of intervention of the department is “SIMPLIFYING COMPLEXITIES” for MPs.

That includes simplifying documents that come from the executive arm of government for the easy understanding of MPs.
It is in respect of the above that the PBO has summarised the presidential address as presented below: 2.0 FLASHBACK  .Four (4) years ago, the president’s plan presented 3.0 HIGHLIGHTS OF GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES INSTITUTED TO RESPOND TO NATIONAL CHALLENGES: 3.1.1 Development Planning & the Economy 3.1.1 Development Planning  Improved National planning capacity, resource mobilization, and coordination of development interventions.

 Improved relationship with development partners’ right through COVID 19.
 1st national digital census was carried out to support national development planning.

3.1.2 The Economy  S/Leone is still affected by the impact of COVID 19, and other global crises.

 Effective COVOD 19 health preparedness and response plan, & Quick Action Economic Response Programme (QAERP) were used to guide our national response to the pandemic.
 Government’s continued implementation of sound economic policies and public financial to Parliament included strategies to translate management (PFM) reforms.

campaign promises into policy actions,  Gradual recovery from the shock of the fundamentally aimed at addressing issues bothering inflation, revenue mobilization, and disciplined leadership.
pandemic using critical PFM reforms introduced including expenditure control, improved revenue mobilization strategies,  The impact of the global pandemic and economic improvement in procurement systems, etc.

situations were not anticipated.


 Le 500bn special credit facility made  The government remained focused over the years available in 2021 to support the production, on providing political stability, economic importation, and distribution of essential prosperity, investment in education, healthcare, commodities.

etc.
etc.

 Government expenditure continued to focus on priority areas of the Medium-Term national Development Plan (2019-2023),  Page 1  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio including human capital development, improving school governance, infrastructure, investment in infrastructure, etc.

use of technology, etc.


 The part payment was made for the  Over 600,000 additional children (especially rehabilitation of 1,835 km of trunk roads girls) accessed schools, and 5,000 additional nationwide, and the completion of 109 km of teachers were recruited.

township streets.

 Best teacher awards and national policy on  More investment in electricity generation, radical inclusion introduced.
transmission, and distribution including the  Free STEM education for girls from Class 1 supply of electricity to district headquarters.

to the completion of university.

 The implementation of the national Micro-  The *Hands Off Our Girls" campaign helps Finance Program (MUNAFA FUND), which in assuring comprehensive safety for girls in supported 5,328 SMEs including 70% school and their communities, among other female-owned.

similar policies.
similar policies.

 Improvement in the capacity of local  More access to technical and vocational suppliers in procurement procedures and education and training in 9 districts across the quality standards.

country.

Currently working with the World  A local content audit is being carried out and Bank to train over 6,000 young persons for the review of the local content act is set to be demand-led skills in various productive done.

sectors.
sectors.

 The economy is set to grow by 5% in 2022,  Funds secured (24 million USD) for the and the Sub-Saharan African projected construction of six additional TVET growth rate is set at 3.8%.

Institutes across the country.

3.1.3 National Revenue Collection  A grant of 3.8 million USD from the  Significant efforts were made in improving Government of Japan (through UNIDO) and maintaining tax collection including new secured the construction of “Centers of reforms.
Excellence" in automobile engineering and  Additional reforms aiming at compliance maintenance of Japanese-made vehicles in enforcement, and improved border addition to the fully equipped center of infrastructure are set to be introduced.

excellence to train Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technicians currently available.
3.2 HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT  The 3 newly approved universities will offer 3.2.1 Education a rich curriculum of industry-focused skills in  Investment in education: mobilizing different disciplines.
additional funding to improve learning  NAYCOM has trained TVET instructors and outcomes, expanding school feeding, equipped TVET institutions across the  Page 2  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio country, in addition to other youth  Health facilities constructed and equipped empowerment projects implemented.
with diagnostic laboratories, sufficient beds,  The National Qualifications Framework has and other equipment across the country with been developed to guarantee quality an allocated sum of over Le 75bn.

Partners assurance in learning outcomes, equity, and intervention in this area could also be inclusiveness.

recognized.
recognized.

 Appreciated parliament for passing reforms  More health workers with different that supported government initiatives specializations have been recruited than ever including the University Act 2021, and the before, and their general compensation S/Leone government student loan scheme package has been improved.

Act 2021.
Act 2021.

 Maternal and child mortality rates have been  Investment in the health sector has produced considerably lowered, and malaria-related more early results than anticipated as we deaths have also been reduced by over 47%.

have had many medical practitioners at  More funding support from partners to the different levels graduate this year.

health sector has been received.


3.2.2 Health  Plans are on the way for more improvement  The government has developed a new in primary health care, and also establishing national Health Sector Strategic Plan, and a pharmaceutical production.
Health Financing Strategy (2021-2025) that 3.2.3 Food Security increases budgetary allocation for health and  The government intends to pursue food sanitation to 12%, and realigned the security and to establish and develop leadership and structure of the health sector cooperation ties with Asia-Pacific nations, to maximize efficiency.

including Vietnam.
including Vietnam.

 The operationalization of the Sierra Leone 3.2.4 Agricultural Products Social Health Insurance Scheme (SLeSHI) is  Over the last four years, extended the area of being worked on, and the implementation of land under cultivation, supported farmers in a insurance for health workers is being carried variety of ways, and increased production out.
across the country  The health on Wheels" Initiative was  Major policy shift that protects our fragile developed to provide the full spectrum of ecosystems like mangroves and upland; health services to underserved communities.

extends mechanization services (machine Also, Health Management and Information rings) in all 16 districts.

Systems (HMIS has been strengthened to  19,200 acres of farmland for rice production provide credible data for decision making.
cultivated jointly by the ministry of youth  Disease surveillance and emergency systems and agriculture.

are strengthened with operationalized  In partnership with International ambulance system.
Organization for Migration (IOM), 200  Page 3  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio young people have been trained across the  The Ministry of Youth has piloted 4 country in tractor operation, basic repairs, Innovative Polytene Fish farms and 100 and maintenance.

youth have been trained and certified in  3,000kg of cashew polyclonal seeds have aquaculture techniques.
been distributed nationwide to seed new  The warrant for the acquisition of 252 acres farms of land at Black Johnson has been signed,  Worked with partners to train 39 Youth and compensation to landowners will Contractors on Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) commence soon.

development/rehabilitation and water control in different districts across the country.
3.3 LAND & THE ENVIRONMENT 3.2.5 Fisheries & Aquaculture 3.3.1 Land  Scientific assessment of fish stock over the  In the coming year, Government intends to last two years has been maintained, and work to strengthen the legislative and analyses and archiving of data as well as institutional frameworks for effective land developing a web-based database for governance that will improve gender- artisanal boats is ongoing.
sensitive access to land resources and  Thousands of jobs for youth and women have streamline access to land for foreign been created in the fishing sector with start- investors up finance kits in some instances.
 A commitment of a USD 40 million grant  The government has collaborated with the from the World Bank has been received to UNDP to procure and commission artisanal finance the development of an integrated fishing boats for youth groups across the GISbased Land Management Information coastal area.

70 boats already supplied to System (LMIS).

over 1,400 youths.
 The government has set aside a National  Working with partners, the Government has Land Bank of Ten Thousand (10,000) acres constructed solar-powered fish-processing of land for allocation to national development buildings, solar-powered freezers, and fish projects processing equipment, and provided  Seven (7) Joint Venture Agreements have improved smoke ovens in various locations been negotiated with potential Real Estate around the country Developers and are awaiting Cabinet  With support from partners, a new fisheries approval.
outstation in Sulima, and eight inshore patrol  The government has established a fair raffle craft have been purchased.
system for the distribution of land among  Extensive pieces of training have been citizens for residential housing developments carried out for fishers  The government has secured the funding under the Sierra Leone Economic  Page 4  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio Diversification Project (SLEDP) to develop a  Two 50M bridges on the Pendembu- National Building Code (NBC Kailahun road  A National Urban Policy is being developed  163M long,two lane Magbele bridge.
and measures will be brought to parliament in  Lumley-Tokeh road and the Hillside Bypass the coming year.

3.3.1 Environment  The government remains committed to the sustainable management of forest resources and promoting sustainable environment protection  The government intends to plant over 5 road are ongoing.

 The government is working to commission those major arterial roads before the end of this year.
 The government has also undertaken expansion and re-graveling works and culvert bridges on 1,800km of roads across the million trees in the next five years to improve country.

the status of afforestation.

 The government has installed four marine weather stations that are saving the lives of fishermen, sea transport workers, and coastal settlers, and nationally appropriate mitigation actions have been developed.

3.4.
3.4.

INFRASTRUCTURE  The government has completed or is constructing the most infrastructural projects within four years in this country's history.
3.4.1 Road and Bridges Infrastructure  With the help of partners, the following major projects have been completed:  A dual carriage highway (four lanes) from Freetown to Masiaka;  The highway between Bo and Bandajuma (46km) and the Bandajuma-MRU Road (105km) and 3 major bridges;  A highway from Moyamba Junction to Moyamba and 4 modern bridges (36km); the Pendembu- Kailahun Road (28km);  Hill Station to Regent Road,  The government will commence reinforced concrete bridge construction works at four ferry crossings across the country.
 The government has also rehabilitated and reconstructed major township roads in Freetown, Kono, Kabala, Bo, Kenema, Bonthe, Makeni, Magburaka, and Mattru.

 Construction works are set to begin on township Roads in Kamakwei (Karene District), Falaba and Mongor (Falaba District), Blama, Segwbema, Daru, Zimmi, Potoru, Bandajuma, and Njaima Sewafe.
 Construction works on the Mattru - Kpetema Road, funded by BADEA and the Government of Sierra Leone, has commenced and Government is finalizing funding arrangements for the Kpetema - Tikonko Junction section.

 The Sefadu- Kamiendor - Guinea Border road (78km) and the Kailahun - Koindu Guinea / Liberia Border roads and Yenga Bridge are also key priorities on which Government is working for the coming year.
 Sengbeh Pieh Bridge, Savage street Bridge, 3.4.2 Transport Infrastructure Gondama Bridge, and Mabang Bridge.
 Page 5  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio 3.4.2.1 Airport that reflects the SLPA Landlord port status  SUMMA Group made its largest investment and replace the old Port Act of 1964. in the Africa sub-region of $270M in 3.4.3 Electricity Infrastructure building a brand new, ultra-modern  A key focus of the Government has been to international air terminal at Lungi.
double energy access from 16% in 2017 to  The security and safety at the airport have 32% by 2023. improved from an ICAO rating of 63.4% to  16% of Sierra Leoneans had access to 71.6 against the African/ Indian regional electricity in 2018; 31% now have access to average of 55%.

electricity.

In 2018, there were 184,997  26 bilateral agreements to improve security at registered EDSA customers; there were the airport have been signed among other 255,993 at the end of 2021, an increase of improvements.
over 70,000 new customers.

3.4.2.2 Marine-time Infrastructure  The average buying price of a 1-kilowatt  The rehabilitation of the Lungi/Tagrin jetty is hour from the Karpowership is higher than at an advanced stage with the waiting halls the average selling price by EDSA to the already completed to meet international public.

Government is subsidizing the standards.

difference to ensure the availability of  Public-private-partnership (PPP) agreement electricity.
with a Turkish company to provide four  Presidential Task Force was established to additional ferries to Sierra Leone has been put an end to electricity infrastructure theft.

completed.

 The government has commissioned 225kV  To improve maritime safety, Government has CLSG Transmission Line from Liberia to domesticated nine mandatory instruments of Kenema/Telorma substation.

the International Maritime Organization  The government has executed and (IMO).
commissioned the power purchase agreement  The government has dredged the port (PPA) for the CLSG-WAPP since December entrance, rehabilitated Berths, and concluded 2021. a contract to expand a new terminal eastward.
 Government electricity projects completed  The Port of Freetown has been fully certified and ongoing: and has passed the International Ship and  Construction of substations at Telorma, Port Facility Security audit by the Bekongor, and Yiben, construction of International Maritime Organization (IMO) substations at Fadugu and Kamakwie; and US Coast Guard stringing of transmission lines from Mano-  The government intends to bring to the house Junction to Bumbuna.
Installing electricity of Parliament new Ports and Harbours Bill infrastructure in 15 out of the 39  Page 6  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio communities along the CLSG/WAPP 225kV a 6% increase with 120,230 more people in Transmission network.

the Western Area getting access to safe  The government has completed the drinking water.
construction of and tested the 6MW Solar  In April 2018, 28% of the population Park at Newton, waiting to be commissioned.

(434,828) in the provinces had access to safe  The government has worked with partners drinking water.
In March 2022, this and the private sector to extend solar mini- percentage has increased to 52% (909,974) grids and thus provide electricity right across representing a 24% increase with 475,146 the country more people having access to safe drinking  The government has also completed the water construction of six (6) Solar PV systems at  Citizens vandalizing water infrastructure Government Hospitals across the country.

remains a critical challenge.


 The upgrade of the 33kV transmission lines  The government is rehabilitating the Guma on the Bo-Kenema distribution network to 66kV is already in progress.

Grid extensions in other parts of the country are already planned.
 The government has received a grant from Dam and upgrading the Guma Main Treatment Works, replacing 3.2km of the transmission pipeline from Mile 13 to Hamilton, and also extending the distribution network to other unserved communities in the Government of Japan to construct 6 mini- the Western Area.

grids in other areas across the country.

 Feasibility Studies for 45 additional solar mini-grids for approximately 8,800 households across the country have also been completed.
 The government has also developed a framework agreement with the European Union for the construction of 57 additional solar mini-grids across the country.

 The government has also executed a contract for the rehabilitation and expansion of the low and medium-voltage distribution network for the Western Area.

3.4.4 Water Infrastructure  In April 2018, 65% of the population (973,988) in the Western Area had access to safe drinking water.
This has increased to 71% (1,094,218) in March 2022 representing  Water meters are being installed in several parts of the city of Freetown to enhance revenue generation.

 The water treatment facility at Barbadorie in Regent is being rehabilitated and the distribution network has been extended by 4.2km into nearby communities.
 The reconstruction of water supply systems in six (6) district headquarter towns is underway in Moyamba, Pujehun, Kailahun, Kabala, Kambia & Mabguraka  The government has completed the installation of 12km transmission mains and now working on the treatment plant and staff quarters of the Blama, Bandawor, and Six Villages Water Supply Project.
 The sinking of 100 Solar Powered Boreholes across all districts in the country has been  Page 7  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio completed, and funds have been approved for Foreign Service Academy (SLFSA) is another 200 boreholes under the Quick win ongoing.

Presidential Initiative.


3.4.7 Public Office Building  Gravity water supply systems are being  The government has spent millions of USD rehabilitated/constructed in different places in completing and building new public across the country.

offices including the ACC, NATCOM  The National Water Resources Management headquarters, etc.
Agency has developed several regulations on  The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary water management that would soon be Education will soon turn the sod for a multi- brought to Parliament for approval.

million dollar, multi-story administrative 3.4.5 Petroleum Infrastructure building.
 Recent sudden hikes in global petroleum 3.4.8 Public Safety and Security Buildings prices affected Sierra Leone the more as a  Three weeks ago, the president result of weak storage and distribution commissioned a state-of-the-art Myohaung structures.

Officers' Mess and a 104Bedroom Single  Sierra Leone now consumes about a Officers complex at the Wilberforce Barracks 1.3million liters of fuel (mainly petrol and for the use of the officer cadre.
diesel) daily compared to 900,000 liters just a  Much other infrastructural development for few years ago the RSLAF are ongoing, including the  Recently, a USD 22M All Petroleum reconstruction of the Forces Warrant Products (APP-SL) storage facility at the old Officers' and Sergeant's Mess and the Other Kissy refinery that had laid moribund for Ranks' Canteen at the Wilberforce Barracks, decades was commissioned, and a 60,000 six (6) Forward Patrol Bases on border patrol metric tonnes storage facility with modern duties, Immigration offices in Karene and storage facilities has also been completed.
Falaba, etc.

 Relevant measures and legislation for  Four fire stations in Western Rural, Pujehun, Petroleum Exploration and Production will Kailahun, and Kabala have been completed be brought to Parliament in the coming year.

and commissioned.
and commissioned.

Additionally, the Pujehun 3.4.6 Sport Infrastructure and Kabala Fire Stations have been  Government of the People's Republic of completed and awaiting commissioning this China, work is underway for a USD 40 year, whiles contracts have been awarded for Million remodeling of the national stadium to the construction of the same in different parts modern international standards of the country.
 With support from the People's Republic of  Contracts for the construction of fire stations China, construction work on the Sierra Leone in Port Loko, Bonthe, and Tonkolili have been signed.

Contracts for the procurement of  Page 8  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio additional fire engines, spare parts, and Authority among others to enable citizens to firefighting equipment have been signed.
call to access public facilities without paying  The government is currently constructing for the voice calls.

correctional facilities in Karene and Falaba  The National Cyber Security Coordinating and also building a hospital for inmates at the Centre has been established and the Ministry Freetown Male Correctional Centre among will soon start implementing the USD 50m other development.

World Bank-funded Digital Transformation  National Disaster Management Agency was Project.
established, and currently responding faster  Measures and legislation on national digital to national emergencies.

development, data protection, privacy, and 3.4.9 Information and Communications electronic communications will soon be laid Technology (ICT) Infrastructure in this House.
 The government has expanded internet penetration by completing the 3.5 CIVIL REGISTRATION, ROAD & implementation of the National Fibre Optic TRANSPORTATION SAFETY Backbone Project Phase II, covering 20 towns and all-district capitals, and important 3.5.1 Civil Registration locations in the country.

 The Government is close to launching a  The National Telecommunications digital ID platform called Electronic Know Commission has started issuing metro Your Customer (eKYC ).
It can be used licenses to operators to further enhance a among other things, to facilitate access to wider penetration of the Terrestrial Fibre credit, cross-reference, or validate Cable in major cities and towns immigration and Sierra Leone Roads Safety  Sierra Leone has implemented the Abidjan Authority data, the first time for the nation to Free-roaming protocol that eased experience such.
communications between Sierra Leone and  In line with international best practices, The French West African Countries, and there are National Civil Registration Authority plans for the full implementation of the (NCRA) is working to develop a Permanent ECOWAS Roaming Protocol as well.

Civil Register of Sierra Leoneans that will  The number of FM Radio stations has lead to the production of the long-awaited increased from 138 in 2019 to 155 in 2021.
ICAO/ECOWAS compliant Biometric Mobile voice coverage has also increased National Identification Cards.

from 79% in 2018 to 93.1% in 2021.

 This Government has started establishing  NATCOM issued shortcodes (numbering legal identity using singular, securitized, and resources) to academic institutions, health serially-numbered births and death services, financial institutions, the Maritime certificates.
With support from international Administration, and the Road Safety partners, the exercise to digitize records will  Page 9  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio enable comprehensive electronic archiving, other project locations in the East of search, and access to vital events records.

Freetown.
Freetown.

 The Office of the Administrator and Registrar General (OARG) is digitizing its 3.5 MINING Lands, Business, Marriage, Intellectual  Through effective management and Property, Estates, Gratuity, and Legal oversight, we now witness an expansion in records.

3.5.2 Road safety mining activities and an increase in the contribution of the mining sector to national  This Government has developed and development.
implemented a road user policy that seeks to  The Ministry granted three large-scale minimize the number of fatalities, injuries, mineral rights in 2021 and revenue from all and damage to property on the road.

mining revenue streams is increasing.

 The rolling out of a biometric driver's license  The government completed the Nationwide and a digital vehicle fitness card or life card Airborne Geophysical Survey and the and an electronic Vehicle Number Plate datasets and images are now available.
Ordering System should curb the illegal  The Ministry of Mines and Mineral printing of vehicle number plates.

Resources and the NMA have developed  The Roads Safety Authority intends to roll systems (in-house) to provide transparent, out Motor Vehicle Testing and Fitness accessible, and timely access to geoscientific Centres that will determine and verify the data and information on exploration and roadworthiness of vehicles and produce mining licenses.

advanced RFID vehicle license stickers.


 The government has allocated 1% of the free  Additional measures to provide access to on board value of exports to community safer drivers' training and testing facilities development, and gender parity in the nationwide are also being implemented workforce.

including MOUs with community radio  The government has initiated a study on stations.
systematic disclosure, data, and socio- 3.5.3 Urban Public Transportation and Safety economic benefit to mining communities  With support from the World Bank, the which are intended to be followed by Ministry of Transport and Aviation has legislation.
completed the construction of transit terminals at Wilberforce, awarded the 3.6 TOURISM contract for the rehabilitation of the Central Bus Stop, and installed pedestrian guard rails and street lights at Congo Cross, Lumley, and  The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board have aggressively marketed the country's tourism potential and favorable business environment  Page 10  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at international tourism fairs in different parts Centre (NACOVERC), continues to of the world.
coordinate referrals for COVID19-related  More women are being trained and provided psychosocial needs.

with start-up funds to operate in the sector.

 This Government has also accessed Post  Additional measures and legislations are Ebola Recovery Social Investment Fund being developed.

3.7 SOCIAL PROTECTION (PERSIF) supported by the African Development Bank, restore basic services, and provide micro-business start-ups in  The National Commission for Social Action beneficiary communities.
(NaCSA) continues to deliver social  This Government is also reviewing the protection, reduce poverty, and fast-track Persons with Disability Act 2011 to bring it community development for sustainable in line with international best practices, and peace.

to create an inclusive society.

The legislation  With funding from the Government of Sierra will be brought forward soon.
Leone, the World Bank, and the European  The government continues to provide grants Union, NaCSA made cash transfers to for the care and upkeep of the aged in the vulnerable communities and persons with only residential care facility for elderly specific needs across the country.

persons in this country- the King George VI  NaCSA also rehabilitated 176km of feeder Memorial Home.

roads including bridges in Kono, Kailahun,  Working with partners, the Government is Koinadugu, and Falaba districts.
4,256 conducting a pilot survey on destitute street youths gained short-term employment during beggars including persons with disabilities in road rehabilitation or maintenance work.

the Western Area Urban and Rural to design  NaCSA has rehabilitated 188 hectares of a strategy to take on this important social inland valley swamps and 1,390 hectares of issue.

boliland in the Moyamba, Tonkolili, Bombali, Karene, and Kenema districts.
3.9 LABOUR, TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS,  It also helped supply cassava and sweet AND NASSIT potato cuttings, oil palm seedlings, and 6,280  The Ministry of Labour and Social Security liters of agrochemicals to various Micro has laid out clear requirements for the Enterprise Groups (MEGs) and Self-Help issuance of overseas recruitment licenses to Affinity Groups (SAGs) across the country.

Private Employment Agencies, and the same is being popularized.
3.8 SOCIAL WELFARE  As a result of MOUs signed between the  The Ministry of Social Welfare, as the Government and key destination countries on Psychosocial Support Services (PSS) Pillar labor and manpower, our migrant workers are Lead at the National COVID-19 Emergency  Page 11  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio now being placed with reputable companies  The government is also reviewing the Child and their welfare is better protected.
Rights Act 2007 to strengthen protection  Government has, in collaboration with the mechanisms for children and other gaps.

Sierra Leone Labour Congress and the Sierra  The government has operationalized a free Leone Employers Federation, developed Rape Help Line and also established two legislation on employment, wages and more One Stop Centres in Karene and Bonthe industrial relations, and workers' to provide free comprehensive survivor- compensation.
centered services for victims of sexual and  The government has also escalated efforts to domestic violence.

educate, investigate, interdict, prosecute, and  The government has also established four (4) convict traffickers.
In addition, Parliament Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) hubs in recently enacted the Anti-Human Trafficking Koinadugu District to provide adolescent- and Migrant Smuggling Act 2022 which friendly family planning and other SRH provides for one of the stiffest sentencing services in a drive to reduce teenage regimes in Africa for the offense of pregnancies.

trafficking in persons.


 The government has developed the Gender  NASSIT's benefit social insurance scheme Equality and Women's Empowerment Bill to now covers 5,375 establishments, 267,419 improve women's political and economic active contributors, and 28,039 pensioners.
empowerment, with legislation being laid in To address delays in the processing of this Parliament benefits, NASSIT has established a specialized unit to facilitate the update of the 3.11 YOUTH AFFAIRS records of members before they apply for  The government has invested in training and their social security benefits.
creating opportunities and facilities for youth  NASSIT is working with ILO to establish an entrepreneurship through the establishment ideal scheme for workers in the informal of a National Youth Empowerment Fund that sector that comprises the bulk of employees.

provides seed money for youth entrepreneurs.


 The government has piloted Youth Connect 3.10 WOMEN, CHILDREN, SEXUAL AND Hubs in Mongor, Falaba District; Mattru GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE Jong, Bonthe District; and Daru, Kailahun  The government has finalized a National District.

Strategy for Street Children by adopting a  The government has completed ten (10) car family tracing and reunification approach.
wash centers with 349 direct jobs for young  The government has launched a national people in the western area, and 26 more are sexual and gender-based violence response being constructed, which is anticipated to strategy.

provide about 980 direct jobs for youths.


 Page 12  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio  The National Youth Service has recruited, Districts, and Koindu town have provided trained, and deployed over 1,523 young over 823,000 persons with access to justice.

people to various institutions across the  The office of the Attorney General has country.
recruited and deployed state counsel to  The government has also intensified anti- expedite the delivery of justice drug education, trained and equipped staff  The Legal Aid Board has established offices and community advocates, and developed and dozens of community advice bureaus in and validated a five-year strategic Master dozens of towns and cities across the country.
Plan (2022-2026) for the fight against  The Legal Aid Board has provided legal aid substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in services to over half a million indigents and Sierra Leone.
3.12 SPORTS vulnerable persons including foreign nationals since its inception and has also secured a better life for hundreds of women  The return by the national team to the and children who make up 83% of the 39,292 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon after a beneficiaries of Legal Advice and Assistance 25year hiatus through Alternative Dispute  Over 1500 direct jobs and several thousand Resolution/Mediation (ADR) in 2021. football-related jobs have been created by the  The government has decongested prison Premier League.
populations using the novel idea of Judicial  More football infrastructure has been built by Week during which the case files of inmates the Government and the private sector.

were reviewed.

374 remand prisoners were  The government also fulfilled its pledge to admitted to bail and 234 inmates were create a National Sports Fund that will be discharged nationwide.

administered for the benefit of sports  As part of the institutional reforms, the development in this country.
3.14 JUSTICE SECTOR REFORMS  The Judiciary has deployed resident judges to Moyamba, Port Loko, Kailahun, and Koinadugu Districts, and also, deployed resident magistrates to Mongor, Falaba District; Kamakwie, Karene District; and Segbwema and Daru in the Kailahun District for the first time in the history of this country  Special High Court Criminal Sessions in Pujehun, Bonthe, Falaba, Tonkolili, Karene government has recruited more graduate staffers for the Sierra Leone judiciary and has also trained staff including magistrates and judges on trafficking and money laundering offenses among other things.
 The government has established a specialized Anti-Corruption Court, Sexual Offences Model Court, and the Social Security Court which have recorded huge successes in the last year.

Conviction rates in the Sexual Offences Model Court jumped from below 3% to 22%.

Cases are now completed expeditiously.


The Anti-Corruption Court has  Page 13  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio recovered over Four Billion Leones in the to submit proposals for their maiden round of last one year.

funding.

 The government has established the first  The government has continued its open Virtual Court to expedite cases, and court dialogue and engagement with Civil Society records are now better kept and accessed.
Organizations (CSOs) in the areas to promote  The government has passed legislation that democracy.

has improved the business ecosystem for foreign investors.

3.16 GOOD GOVERNANCE 3.15 HUMAN AND PEOPLE'S RIGHTS local councils at unprecedented levels.

 The government has launched The White  State institutions continue to take concrete  The government has sustained its funding of Paper of the Constitutional Review actions to enhance inclusive democracy.
Committee Report that seeks to address gaps,  The government has rationalized the payroll discrepancies, and inconsistencies in our for the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, 1991 Constitution.
migrated or upgraded 1,253 staff to assume  In fulfillment of our human rights, and treaty functional titles through the migration policy obligations government is fully committed to  The government is working to institutionalize addressing issues raised in the annual State of a performance management culture in the Human Rights Reports presented by the Sierra Leone Civil Service, and legislation on Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone.
civil service code & public service regulation  The government worked with Parliament to is being developed.

permanently abolish the death penalty in  The government has granted approvals for Sierra Leone.
497 civil servants to pursue different courses  The government has repealed seditious libel of study locally and internationally laws, supported the unfettered practice of 3.16.1 The Fight against Corruption journalism, supported more professionalism  The Anti-Corruption Commission has in journalism, and held the first-ever media recruited more prosecutors; formalized the investment conference.
This among other creation of various new units within the things has improved the ranking of the state institution, and broadened the mandate of the on the World Press Freedom Index moving Anti-Corruption Act to include the 29 places from its 75th place in 2021 to 46th investigation and prosecution of offenses in 2022. committed under the Anti-Money Laundering  Following media reforms that the and Combating of Financing of Terrorism government has initiated, the International Act.
It has also won a higher number of Fund for Public Interest Media has listed convictions for corruption offenses Sierra Leone as one of 17 countries eligible  Page 14  Key Highlights of the Presidential Address Delivered by His Excellency The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio  The Commission also extended its mandate Governments, also been nominated as co- to the prosecution of examinations chair of the UNESCO High-Level Steering malpractices and other acts of corruption Committee for SDG 4 - Education 2030. relating to the education sector  S/Leone chairs and Co-chairs so many  The ACC has received 87.5% response to international organizations including the asset form inquiries; partnered with MDAs International Organization for Migration's and CSOs to promote public education about governing bureau, WTO, CSP7, etc.
corruption.

 Sierra Leone is poised to return to the UN  Sierra Leone again consistently increased its Security Council in the non-Permanent score in the 'Control of Corruption Indicator category in 2024/25, for the second time, of the Millennium Challenge Corporation after over 50 years of absence and non- (MCC) Scorecard to an unprecedented 83 selection percent from 81 percent in 2020.

2017 had a  S/Leone has participated at the highest levels score of 48%.
in the Global Education Summit for the  In the 2021 Transparency International's Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Global Corruption Perception Index (CPI) the 26th UN Climate Change Conference and Country Rankings, Sierra Leone (CoP26).
progressed upwards from 117 in 2020 to 115  The government undertook high Impact State out of 180 countries surveyed and Official Visits to the United Arab 3.17 FOREIGN RELATIONS Emirates, Turkey, and Vietnam focusing mainly on the strengthening of South-South  The government continues to shape and Cooperation and partnerships.
advance our foreign policy priorities in line  Our bilateral cooperation engagements with with current and emerging regional, sub- the Federal Republic of Germany, the Arab regional and global realities and Republic of Egypt, Kenya, and Hungary have developments.

been elevated to a new level.


 Government engagement with foreign  The country has signed and operationalized countries through travels and other means several Visa-free Entry Agreements to pave continues to pay off hundreds of millions of the way for the development of tourism and USD in grants and technical assistance from trade development partners.

 The re-opening of a resident Embassy in  Sierra Leone has passed the MCC scorecard France is at an advanced stage and the for three consecutive years.
government is planning the opening of two  We retain high leadership responsibilities at High Commissions in India and South Africa the UN, AU, and ECOWAS.

 S/Leone serves as chair of the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and  Page 15