By Josephine Sesay
The Deputy Minister responsible for waste management has spearheaded a major national initiative aimed at transforming Sierra Leone’s waste management system into a modern, sustainable, and economically productive sector. The initiative was formally launched during a high-level consultative workshop held at Brookfields hotel in freetown, bringing together key stakeholders from government institutions, local councils, development partners, and United Nations agencies to deliberate on a new direction for the sector. In her address, the Deputy Minister described the reform process as a strategic shift in national thinking about waste management, stressing that the sector must now be repositioned as a driver of sustainable development rather than being viewed solely as an environmental challenge.
She emphasised that the proposed reforms are intended to enhance environmental protection, strengthen public health systems, and create new opportunities for employment and green entrepreneurship across the country. Strategic Reform Framework the Deputy Minister outlined a comprehensive seven-point reform agenda designed to guide the transformation of the sector. The framework focuses on strengthening systems, improving coordination, and promoting innovation in waste management. The key pillars include policy and legislative reform to establish a harmonised national framework; improved coordination between central government institutions and local councils; and the development of sustainable financing mechanisms to support efficient service delivery.
Other components of the strategy include promoting recycling and resource recovery under a circular economy approach, formalising and integrating the informal waste sector, expanding environmental education and public awareness campaigns, and strengthening technical and institutional capacity across the sector. According to the Deputy Minister, these measures are aimed at building a more efficient, inclusive, and resilient waste management system capable of addressing Sierra Leone’s growing urban and environmental challenges. Call for Collective Action The Deputy Minister underscored the importance of strong collaboration among all stakeholders, including government agencies, local councils, development partners, and communities, in ensuring the successful implementation of the reform agenda.
She noted that the consultative workshop was designed to gather practical input and ensure that the reforms are grounded in national realities and responsive to the needs of citizens. “The success of this process depends on shared responsibility and collective action. We must work together to ensure that these reforms are practical, inclusive, and deliver real benefits to our people,” she stated. Toward a Cleaner and More Sustainable Future The workshop forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen environmental governance and improve sanitation systems nationwide. It is expected to lay the foundation for a more structured and sustainable waste management framework that supports both environmental protection and economic development. Stakeholders are expected to continue engaging in the reform process as government moves toward finalising and implementing the national waste management transformation agenda.
