By Ibrahim J. Conteh
Freetown, 17th October 2024 – Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) convened a high-level consultation to assess the nation’s progress on the 2024 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) commitments. The meeting, which took place at the FQC2 + RVG Hall in Brookfields, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including government officials, civil society organizations, health professionals, traditional leaders, religious representatives, and youth groups.
The consultation focused on reviewing Sierra Leone’s achievements under the ICPD framework, particularly in relation to the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development (AADPD), and planning the way forward as the country prepares for the upcoming global summit.
Peter N. Sam-Kpakra, MoPED’s Development Secretary, opened the session by emphasizing the need to evaluate progress and strengthen partnerships to drive future actions. He noted that stakeholder collaboration was essential to achieving the ICPD goals.
Dr. Fred Hassan Konteh, Director of the Institute of Population Studies at Fourah Bay College, echoed this sentiment, calling for a renewed partnership between the institute and the Ministry, which had been inactive in recent years. He underscored the importance of addressing social inequalities and placing people at the center of development efforts.
UNFPA Representative, Ms. Sibeso Mululuma, highlighted notable advancements in sexual and reproductive health over the last three decades but stressed that more needs to be done to improve access to family planning services and empower women and girls through education and economic opportunities. “The time to act is now,” she urged, calling for immediate and sustained efforts to accelerate progress.
Traditional and religious leaders also contributed to the discussions, with PC Fayia S.B. Sovula IV of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs emphasizing the need for youth education on both their rights and responsibilities. Meanwhile, Reverend Osman Jesse Fornah of the Inter-Religious Council acknowledged unresolved family planning issues among religious leaders but reaffirmed the Council’s strong stance against early child marriage.
A key part of the consultation involved reviewing the progress of Sierra Leone’s 2019 ICPD commitments. Achievements include the allocation of 1% of the health budget to family planning, increasing adolescent use of modern contraceptive methods, and working towards reducing unmet family planning needs by 2025. However, significant challenges remain, including the goal to halve maternal mortality by 2028 and prohibiting child marriage through new legislation.
The session concluded with group discussions that identified critical areas for improvement and recommendations for shaping Sierra Leone’s renewed ICPD commitments. With a sense of urgency, participants reaffirmed their dedication to pushing forward on family planning, youth engagement, and women’s empowerment, as the nation recommits to advancing its ICPD goals ahead of the 2024 summit.