The Minister of State at the Office of the Vice President, Manty Tarawalli, has disclosed that Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has pledged to ensure the construction of the Kabala–Makeni Road by the end of 2027, a development expected to improve transportation, strengthen trade and promote economic activities in Koinadugu District.
Manty Tarawalli made the disclosure during the Civic Day Series held in Kabala, Koinadugu District, on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. The engagement brought together Government officials, local authorities and district stakeholders to discuss development priorities, promote public accountability and strengthen communication between the Government and citizens.
Addressing participants, Manty Tarawalli explained that improving the Kabala–Makeni Road would ease the movement of people, agricultural produce and other goods between Kabala, Makeni and surrounding communities. She noted that better road connectivity would create opportunities for businesses, farmers and traders while improving access to essential services.
Turning to agriculture and women’s empowerment, Manty Tarawalli reaffirmed President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to strengthening agricultural production and improving the economic welfare of women, particularly those engaged in farming.
She disclosed that the Government is providing free seeds to female farmers, accompanied by practical training to help beneficiaries adopt improved farming methods and increase agricultural yields. According to Manty Tarawalli, the initiative forms part of broader efforts to enhance food production, support rural livelihoods and encourage greater participation by women in the agricultural sector.
Manty Tarawalli further explained that farmers are receiving additional support through the provision of agricultural equipment, access to loans and insurance facilities designed to improve productivity and reduce the financial risks associated with farming.
The Chairperson of the Koinadugu District Council, Lawrence Teteh Kargbo, also addressed the gathering, outlining ongoing development initiatives and the council’s efforts to improve coordination among organisations operating within the district.
Lawrence Teteh Kargbo disclosed that the council is preparing to launch its District Development Plan, which will serve as a framework for identifying development priorities and guiding interventions by non-governmental organisations and other development partners.
He stressed that organisations implementing projects in Koinadugu District would be expected to align their activities with the plan to ensure that resources are directed towards the most pressing needs of local communities.
“No NGO will work in this district without working with the District Development Plan, which is in line with the National Development Plan,” Lawrence Teteh Kargbo stated.
Lawrence Teteh Kargbo also revealed that the council had completed the construction of a new hospital at an estimated cost of NLe400,000, describing the facility as part of efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and access to medical services.
Despite those developments, Lawrence Teteh Kargbo expressed concern over persistent electricity and water supply challenges affecting communities across the district. He explained that although some infrastructure is already available, residents continue to experience difficulties accessing reliable services.
He therefore appealed to the Government to prioritize improvements in electricity and water supply, noting that both services are essential for healthcare delivery, business operations and the general welfare of residents.
Providing an update on the health sector, the District Medical Officer for Koinadugu, Dr Brima Bobson Sesay, highlighted progress recorded under the 300 Days of Activism initiative, which seeks to eliminate preventable maternal and child deaths while improving immunization coverage.
Dr Brima Bobson Sesay disclosed that, as of 31 October 2026, Sierra Leone had recorded a 31 per cent reduction in maternal deaths and a 12 per cent reduction in child deaths nationwide. He further reported that 10,123 child immunizations had been administered across the country.
Dr Brima Bobson Sesay described the figures as encouraging progress in efforts to improve maternal and child healthcare, while acknowledging that significant challenges remain in ensuring consistent access to quality medical services.
He identified unreliable electricity supply as one of the major difficulties affecting healthcare delivery in Koinadugu District. Although the Kabala Government Hospital has a solar facility, Dr Brima Bobson Sesay explained that electricity remains a serious concern and appealed for additional Government intervention to ensure a more dependable power supply.
On public health preparedness, Dr Brima Bobson Sesay disclosed that the district had commenced engagements with development partners, community sensitization campaigns and disease surveillance activities to strengthen its readiness against a possible Ebola outbreak.
He emphasized the importance of preventive measures, public awareness and effective surveillance in protecting communities against infectious diseases.
The Presidential Adviser on Gender Affairs, Isatu Jabbie Kabba, also used the occasion to highlight the Government’s commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls and expanding their participation in national development.
Isatu Jabbie Kabba pointed to the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, which provides for a 30 per cent quota for women’s representation, as an important measure introduced under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio to promote gender equality and strengthen women’s involvement in decision-making.
She encouraged families and communities to prioritize the education of girls and support opportunities for women to acquire the knowledge and practical skills needed to become economically independent and contribute meaningfully to national progress.
Isatu Jabbie Kabba further called on men to play a more active role in preventing sexual and gender-based violence, stressing that protecting women and girls requires collective responsibility and sustained community involvement.
She proposed the establishment of sexual and gender-based violence task forces by Paramount Chiefs to help address early marriage, rape and other forms of abuse affecting women and girls in local communities.
According to Isatu Jabbie Kabba, traditional authorities, community leaders and men have important responsibilities in promoting respect for women’s rights, preventing violence and creating safer environments for vulnerable groups.
The Civic Day Series in Kabala provided an opportunity for residents and local stakeholders to engage directly with Government representatives, raise concerns and seek clarification on policies and development programmes affecting their communities.
Discussions during the engagement highlighted the importance of improved road infrastructure, reliable electricity and water supply, accessible healthcare, agricultural support and stronger protection for women and girls.
The event also reinforced the need for continued cooperation between central Government, local councils, traditional authorities and development partners to address longstanding challenges and ensure that national development initiatives deliver meaningful benefits to communities across Koinadugu District.
