The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, has officially launched the National WASH Strategic Plan 2026–2035, marking a significant step toward achieving sustainable water security and improved sanitation across the country.
The landmark event, held in Bo on Saturday 14th March, was led by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Isatta Sao-Kpato Hannah Macarthy, and brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, and key stakeholders in the water sector.
In her keynote address, the Minister described the plan as a historic milestone, noting that it reflects the first time Sierra Leone has a dedicated ministry integrating water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
She credited this achievement to the vision and leadership of Julius Maada Bio, whose administration established the Ministry to ensure a more coordinated and strategic approach to the sector.
Dr. Macarthy emphasized that while the development of the plan is a major achievement, its success will depend on effective implementation. She cautioned against allowing the strategy to become a “white elephant,” stressing that government institutions, development partners, civil society, and citizens all have a shared responsibility to deliver results.
Central to the plan is a strong Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework designed to track progress, ensure accountability, and guarantee that investments yield measurable outcomes.
The Minister also underscored the need to mobilize resources and attract private sector participation. Acknowledging challenges such as low tariffs and the perception of water as a free public good, she called for innovative financing models and public-private partnerships to expand access while maintaining affordability.
She further highlighted the importance of collaboration across key sectors, including health, environment, lands, and local government, noting that water and sanitation are fundamental to national development, public health, and economic growth.
Providing a technical overview, Ing. Augustine Amara outlined a comprehensive roadmap focused on improving water supply and sanitation services, strengthening rural system sustainability, and enhancing data management.
He noted the plan’s emphasis on private sector engagement, cost recovery, and reducing non-revenue water through modern technologies such as IoT.
The strategy also prioritizes water resource protection, institutional capacity building, increased investment, and stronger partnerships across government, NGOs, and development partners. It promotes research, innovation, gender inclusion, anti-corruption measures, and emergency WASH frameworks.
Anchored on key pillars, the plan supports climate-resilient infrastructure, improved sanitation and hygiene, effective water resource management, water storage and flood control, and sustainable financing backed by strong policies and legal frameworks.
Reaffirming Government’s commitment, the Minister stressed that water security and sanitation remain central to improving quality of life and driving national development.
Strong endorsements were delivered by key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, the INGO community in Sierra Leone, local government authorities, and members of Parliament, all of whom pledged their commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the strategic plan.
The launch of the National WASH Strategic Plan 2026–2035 signals a new phase in Sierra Leone’s water sector, one defined by structured planning, coordinated implementation, and sustained investment, with the ultimate goal of achieving universal access to safe water and improved sanitation for all Sierra Leoneans.
