By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on Thursday, 18 June 2026, joined Sierra Leoneans living in the United Kingdom at the London Civic Day Townhall, a major engagement aimed at strengthening dialogue between the Government of Sierra Leone and the diaspora community on governance, development, national cohesion and civic participation. The event formed part of the Civic Day Series, an ongoing national conversation designed to deepen citizen engagement and strengthen communication between Government institutions and Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad.

Held at Westminster Chapel, Buckingham Gate, London, England SW1E 6BS, the programme was hosted by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernoh Bah, and brought together members of the Sierra Leonean diaspora, Government officials, development partners, community leaders and other stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges shaping the country’s future.

The forum featured a distinguished panel comprising Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Trade and Industry Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, Deputy Minister of Finance, Kadiatu Allie, Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie and Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, Hawa Samai.

Addressing participants, Vice President Dr, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties with Sierra Leoneans abroad, describing the diaspora as a critical partner in the country’s development journey. He noted that meaningful national progress can only be achieved when citizens, regardless of where they reside, actively contribute to national discourse and decision-making.

“I’m pleased to be in London for the Civic Townhall and to engage with the diaspora on the opportunities and challenges shaping our nation’s future,” he said. “These conversations are an important platform to strengthen ties with our diaspora and explore how their skills, expertise and investments can contribute to national development. I look forward to listening, learning and working together to unlock new opportunities for Sierra Leone.”

The Vice President used the occasion to provide an extensive overview of the Government’s development agenda, explaining that Sierra Leone’s current challenges must be understood within the broader historical context of state-building across Africa. He observed that during the 1970s and 1980s, many African countries, including Sierra Leone, struggled to provide essential public services due to weak institutional capacity and limited economic resources. He noted that successive efforts to strengthen state institutions have gradually improved service delivery, healthcare, social protection and support for vulnerable populations.

On governance and national security, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh reported that Sierra Leone remains stable and continues to make significant progress in strengthening its security architecture. He highlighted reforms introduced after the 2023 security incidents, including improvements in coordination, professionalism and responsiveness within the security sector. He also pointed to the decentralization of recruitment into the police and armed forces as a measure designed to promote fairness, transparency and national inclusion.

Turning to economic development, the Vice President described energy as a cornerstone of the Government’s transformation agenda. He noted that electricity access has expanded considerably since 2018 and cited ongoing investments in renewable energy, including the recently commissioned 40-megawatt solar power project and other initiatives aimed at increasing generation capacity. According to him, the Government’s target is to increase national electricity access to approximately 78 percent by 2030 through strategic investments and international partnerships.

He also highlighted the Government’s flagship agricultural programme, Feed Salone, which seeks to achieve food self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on imported food. He explained that investments are being made in rice cultivation, poultry production, livestock development and rural infrastructure to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.

Discussing the mining sector, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh said the Government has introduced reforms to improve transparency and ensure that natural resource wealth benefits both the state and host communities. He noted that mining companies are now required to contribute to community development funds that support local projects, including schools, healthcare facilities and road infrastructure.

The Vice President further addressed the growing concern over drug abuse, particularly the proliferation of the synthetic drug Kush. He assured participants that Government is responding through rehabilitation programmes, public awareness campaigns and enhanced law enforcement measures aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks and supporting recovery efforts.

He also underscored the importance of decentralization, explaining that local councils and district authorities are increasingly playing a greater role in governance and service delivery. According to him, bringing decision-making closer to communities allows Government to better understand and address local development priorities.

Health and nutrition featured prominently in his address. Dr. Juldeh Jalloh stated that Government has elevated nutrition as a national priority due to its impact on maternal and child health. He revealed that nutrition programmes have been integrated into national health policies through dedicated budget allocations, nutrition clinics and targeted interventions for pregnant women and children. He also disclosed that he has been invited to Germany later this month to speak on nutrition and its role in improving maternal health outcomes and child development.

Throughout the engagement, participants raised questions, sought clarification on national issues and offered recommendations on governance, accountability and development priorities. Many highlighted the substantial contributions made by Sierra Leoneans abroad through remittances, professional expertise, business investments and international networks. They also called for stronger collaboration and greater opportunities for diaspora participation in national development initiatives.

The Vice President reiterated that Sierra Leone’s development strategy is built on governance reform, economic transformation, human capital development and international partnerships. He stressed that engagement with the diaspora remains essential and encouraged continued collaboration between Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad in building a more prosperous and inclusive nation.

The London Civic Day Townhall forms part of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s broader efforts to strengthen engagement with Sierra Leoneans overseas, promote transparency and foster trust between Government institutions and citizens.

Following the townhall, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh is expected to serve as keynote speaker at the Fourth Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference in London, where discussions will focus on encouraging diaspora investment in key sectors including agriculture, technology, infrastructure, tourism and entrepreneurship. The engagement is widely seen as another important step in reinforcing the partnership between Sierra Leone and its diaspora community while advancing a shared vision for sustainable national development.