AGP Executive Report

Workplace Safety & Waste: A 52-year-old man, David Torres, was killed after being struck by a front loader at Excel Recycling on Freetown’s South Coast; police and EMS responded around 11:58 a.m. and an investigation is ongoing. Water Security: Guma Valley Water Company restored Freetown’s pipe-borne supply after repairs at the Mile 13 Treatment Plant and an 18-inch transmission pipeline, with distribution resuming under the usual rationing schedule. Climate-Resilient Farming: Danabelsandy Development Organisation launched a community-led climate-resilient agriculture project for 210 farmers, aiming to protect livelihoods and strengthen food production as climate pressures rise. Mining & Geohazards Preparedness: Sierra Leone is set to host its first PanAfGeo training on geohazards and mine environmental management (Dec 7–12, 2026), supported by the EU, to improve risk assessment and safer mining practices. Regional Clean Energy Data: ECOWAS, the EU and GIZ kicked off REGIS-WA, a new regional energy governance and information system to harmonize energy data and speed up cross-border clean energy integration. Food, Hunger & Learning: The Education Minister opened a World Food Prize Youth Institute in Freetown, linking hunger, climate change and poverty to children’s learning and future solutions. EU Aid Suspension: The EU froze about €18m in budget support to Sierra Leone over alleged non-cooperation in the extradition of Dutch cocaine kingpin Joseph “Jos” Leijdekkers. Digital Justice & Access to Information: Sierra Leone’s Attorney-General’s Office, with UNESCO and the ICT ministry, held a high-level AI, justice and rule-of-law dialogue to support more accessible justice delivery. Diaspora Recognition: Nominations opened for Sierra Leone Diaspora Excellence Awards, including an Environmental & Green Economy Champion category.

EU aid suspension: The European Commission has suspended about €18m (nearly $20m) in budget support to Sierra Leone for 2026, citing lack of cooperation with the Netherlands’ extradition request over alleged cocaine kingpin Joseph “Jos” Leijdekkers. Water & resilience: Guma Valley Water Company restored Freetown’s pipe-borne water supply after repairs to the Mile 13 treatment plant and an 18-inch transmission pipeline, with distribution resuming under the rationing schedule. Clean energy governance: ECOWAS, the EU and GIZ kicked off REGIS-WA, a regional energy governance and information system to harmonize energy data and speed up cross-border clean energy integration. Digital security: Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) secured ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for its information security management system, valid to 2029. Access to information & AI: Sierra Leone’s Attorney-General’s Office convened stakeholders on AI, justice and the rule of law, while the ACC highlighted transparency and privacy balance at an international information commissioners forum in Lungi. Climate-smart farming: Danabelsandy launched a climate-resilient agriculture project for 210 farmers, backing locally led approaches to adapt to climate change.

Climate-Smart Agriculture: Danabelsandy Development Organisation launched a community-led climate-resilient agriculture project for 210 farmers, aiming to protect livelihoods and boost sustainable food production as climate pressures rise. Water & Resilience: Guma Valley Water Company restored Freetown’s pipe-borne supply after repairs to the Mile 13 treatment plant and an 18-inch transmission pipeline, with distribution resuming under the Friday rationing schedule. Waste & Circular Economy Education: Central University hosted a European delegation to advance a proposed Master’s programme in Waste Management and Circular Economy, focusing on curriculum, exchanges, and practical solutions. Geohazards & Safer Mining: Sierra Leone’s National Minerals Agency is preparing to host its first PanAfGeo training on geohazards and mine environmental management (Dec 7–12, 2026), building capacity for risk assessment and early preparedness. Clean Energy Governance: ECOWAS, the EU and GIZ kicked off REGIS-WA, a regional energy governance and information system to support cross-border clean energy integration and better energy data. Food Security Meets Learning: The Education Minister opened a World Food Prize Youth Institute in Freetown, linking hunger, climate change and poverty to students’ ideas for long-term solutions. Digital Security for Services: SLCB achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for its information security management system, strengthening protection as banking becomes more digital.

Regional Clean Energy Data: ECOWAS, the EU and GIZ have launched REGIS-WA, a new regional energy governance and information system to harmonize energy data and speed up cross-border clean power integration across West Africa. Water & Resilience: Guma Valley Water Company restored Freetown’s pipe-borne supply after repairs to the Mile 13 treatment plant and a key transmission pipeline, with distribution resuming under the Friday rationing schedule. Climate-Smart Farming: Danabelsandy Development Organisation launched a community-led climate-resilient agriculture project for 210 farmers, aiming to boost rural livelihoods while protecting natural resources. Mining & Geohazards: Sierra Leone’s National Minerals Agency is preparing to host its first PanAfGeo training on geohazards and mine environmental management (Dec 7–12, 2026), linking geoscience data to disaster risk reduction. Waste & Safety: A recycling yard worker died in Freetown after being struck by a front loader, with investigations ongoing. Food Security Meets Education: Sierra Leone’s education minister stressed that hunger undermines learning, as youth presented ideas on hunger, climate change and poverty at the World Food Prize Youth Institute. Information Integrity: Sierra Leone hosted a regional access-to-information forum where civil society and media groups pushed for stronger information integrity and better digital literacy.

Global Partnerships for Education & Innovation: Sierra Leone’s Education Minister Haja Ramatulai Wurie joined President Bio’s post-UNGA engagements in Boston, meeting Harvard and MIT to push research-driven development, including prosthetics and orthotics collaboration with MIT. Labour Dialogue: The Labour Ministry reopened talks with the Sierra Leone Employers Federation to strengthen labour law implementation under the tripartite framework. AI & Justice Access: The Attorney-General’s Office, with UNESCO and the ICT ministry, held a stakeholder mixer on AI, justice and the rule of law to improve access and efficiency while keeping ethics and integrity front and centre. Recycling Safety Tragedy: A worker was killed in Freetown after being struck by a front loader at a recycling yard, with police and investigators continuing their probe. Water Supply Restored: Guma Valley Water Company resumed pipe-borne water to Freetown after repairs at Mile 13, with distribution following the Friday rationing schedule. EU Aid Suspended Over Drug Fugitive: The EU suspended about €18m in budget support after Sierra Leone allegedly failed to cooperate with a Netherlands extradition request tied to a cocaine kingpin. Climate-Resilient Farming: Danabelsandy launched a community-led climate-resilient agriculture project for 210 farmers, aiming to protect livelihoods and boost sustainable food production. Geohazards & Mining Training: Sierra Leone will host its first PanAfGeo course on geohazards and mine environmental management in December 2026, supported by the EU.

Information Integrity & Access to Data: Sierra Leone hosted the 17th ICIC and UNESCO IDUAI 2026 in Lungi, with Vice President Juldeh Jalloh calling for stronger information governance and cooperation to fight “information disorder,” while CAMDL’s Taweh Johnson urged West Africa to close gaps in media, information, and digital literacy. EU Funding Pressure & Security: The EU suspended about €18m in budget support to Sierra Leone over alleged non-cooperation in the extradition of Dutch cocaine kingpin Joseph “Jos” Leijdekkers, a move framed as a signal to stop “sheltering” criminals. Maritime Security: Sierra Leone Navy completed EU- and Portuguese-supported training to boost capacity against illegal fishing, trafficking, and other maritime crimes, including surveillance and boarding operations. Geohazards & Mining Safety: Sierra Leone is preparing to host its first PanAfGeo training on geohazards and mine environmental management (Dec 7–12, 2026), aiming to strengthen risk assessment and early preparedness. Climate-Resilient Farming: Danabelsandy launched a community-led climate-resilient agriculture project for 210 farmers, promoting sustainable alternatives and resilience to climate change. Water & WASH Funding: Guma Valley Water Company seeks Le32.538m in FY2027 support to expand water access and resilience, including boreholes and key supply interventions across the Western Area. Solar Waste Planning: Sierra Leone moves toward its first solar waste management pilot after a Spain benchmarking mission on end-of-life panels, batteries, and circular-economy systems. Food Security Meets Education: Education Minister Conrad Sackey linked hunger to learning outcomes while opening the World Food Prize Youth Institute, where students develop ideas tackling hunger, climate change, and poverty.

Climate-Resilient Farming: Danabelsandy Development Organisation launched a community-led climate-resilient agriculture project for 210 farmers in Sierra Leone, using locally led approaches to help communities adapt to climate shocks while protecting natural resources. Solar Waste Planning: Sierra Leone is moving toward its first solar waste management pilot after a five-day benchmarking mission to Spain, examining circular-economy systems for end-of-life solar panels and batteries. Health Systems Upgrade: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health sent a delegation to India to strengthen hospital equipment management and biomedical engineering capacity, including factory testing and plans for safer, more durable procurement. Water Access Push: Guma Valley Water Company is seeking Le32.5m in FY2027 support to expand water supply across the Western Area, including new boreholes and key distribution works. Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Sierra Leone’s entrepreneurship support organisations began consultations to form an independent, member-led national association, aiming to improve standards and reduce fragmented support for startups. Public Health Communication: NPHA and partners trained journalists and bloggers ahead of 2026 World Meningitis Day to spread accurate prevention and treatment messages. Food Security Youth Ideas: The Agriculture Ministry and MBSSE convened 16 pupils in Freetown to present solutions to food security and agricultural challenges.

Cabbage Beach Fence Row: Sierra Leone’s Environment Minister says the Four Seasons Ocean Club Residences developers will comply with an order to remove the controversial fence, after protesters dismantled parts of it and a leader was arrested then released. The dispute has raised alarms over public beach access, safety, and impacts on vendors, with officials citing beach erosion and temporary fencing rules. Solar Waste Push: Sierra Leone is moving toward its first solar waste management pilot after a five-day benchmarking mission to Spain, supported through the EU-funded SOGREA project, to set up systems for end-of-life panels, batteries, and circular-economy handling. Water Supply Funding: Guma Valley Water Company is seeking Le32.5m in FY2027 support to expand and strengthen water services across the Western Area, including new boreholes and key supply interventions. Biodiversity Finance at UNGA: A UNGA nature-and-people event highlights the financing gap for biodiversity goals, with calls for stronger funding to match conservation ambition. Waste Management Education Link: Central University hosted a European delegation to explore a Master’s programme in Waste Management and Circular Economy, aiming to build curriculum and exchange partnerships. Health Systems Upgrade: Sierra Leone’s Health Ministry sent a delegation to India to improve hospital equipment management and biomedical engineering capacity.

Water & Sanitation: Guma Valley Water Company is seeking Le32.538m in FY2027 support to boost water production and extend supply across Western Area, including 45 industrial boreholes and key distribution works. Waste & Energy: Sierra Leone is moving toward its first solar waste management pilot after a five-day benchmarking mission to Spain on end-of-life panels and batteries, with UNOPS support under the SOGREA project. Coastal Resilience & Public Safety: The Cabbage Beach fence controversy in Freetown escalated again as protesters tore down parts of the barrier; officials say it must be removed after approval and notice requirements were not met. Governance & Civic Space: Sierra Leone’s UPR review drew criticism from rights groups over partial civic-space progress and continued harassment concerns, urging legal and policy changes. Information Rights: Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh opened the ICIC conference in Lungi, pushing stronger access to information and information integrity in the digital age. Food Security & Youth: MAFS and MBSSE convened 16 pupils in Freetown to present ideas on food security and agriculture through the World Food Prize Youth Institute. Education Funding: Government plans to scrap per-pupil capitation grants for a cost-based model targeting real school running costs and needs. Biodiversity: Sierra Leone’s solar and water moves come alongside regional conservation momentum, including a relaunch of Liberia’s Grebo-Krahn biodiversity project.

Cabbage Beach Safety Clash: Protesters and police again confronted over a shoreline fence at Cabbage Beach after a tourist was swept into rough seas while trying to pass it. The Environment Ministry says the fence was erected without required notice for beach nourishment and restoration, and insists it must be removed. Solar Waste Push: Sierra Leone is moving toward its first solar waste management pilot after a five-day benchmarking mission to Spain, examining systems for end-of-life panels, batteries, and circular-economy rules, with UNOPS support under the EU-backed SOGREA project. Water Supply Funding: Guma Valley Water Company is seeking Le32.538m in FY2027 support for boreholes, water supply upgrades, and distribution expansion across the Western Area, alongside near-complete treatment and network works. Biodiversity Conservation: Liberia relaunched the €4.7m Taï-Grebo-Krahn Complex Biodiversity Protection Project to strengthen Grebo-Krahn National Park protection and livelihoods, with cross-border conservation focus. Digital & Child Safety: A UN panel in New York urged stronger international safeguards for children online as AI advances outpace protections, with Sierra Leone’s first ladies calling for tougher rules on company accountability. Civic Space Pressure: Sierra Leone’s UPR commitments face calls for concrete action, with concerns raised about backtracking on civic space and harassment of civil society.

Lungi Bridge Push: Sierra Leone’s long-planned Freetown–Lungi link moves forward as Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh says US$1.6m USTDA-backed feasibility studies will start in November, including traffic-flow and environmental and social studies. Coastal Safety Clash: Protests over a Cabbage Beach fence escalated after a tourist was swept into rough seas; the Environment Minister says the fence was erected without proper notice and orders it removed. Digital Sovereignty: Sierra Leone links its digital future to local control, saying its digital ID now covers 93% of the population and that a payment switch and data exchange platform are being scaled. Child Online Safety: At a UN panel in New York, Türkiye and first ladies—including Sierra Leone’s—called for stronger rules to protect children from online risks as AI advances outpace safeguards. Climate Action at UNGA: UN leaders faced urgent calls for faster climate action, with warnings that Paris Agreement overshoot and a looming Super El Niño make action non-negotiable. Rabies Drive: Sierra Leone’s agriculture ministry renews efforts to eliminate rabies deaths by 2030 under a One Health approach, urging vaccination and immediate care after bites. Tourism & Environment: Freetown’s World Tourism Day health walk tied healthy living to environmental sustainability, promoting greener tourism habits. Conservation Relaunch: Liberia re-started the €4.7m Taï-Grebo-Krahn biodiversity project after a seven-year pause, aiming to strengthen park protection and community livelihoods.

Cabbage Beach Fence Crisis: Sierra Leone’s Environment Ministry says the controversial fence at Cabbage Beach was erected without approval and orders it removed, after a tourist was swept into rough seas and rescued following renewed protests. Digital & Energy Push: At UNGA81, Sierra Leone brought communications, energy and trade officials together to link reliable electricity, telecoms and data systems for a stronger digital economy. Pharmacy Regulation Gap: World Pharmacists Day coverage highlights the challenge of informal medicine sellers operating outside regulation, as authorities call for stronger pharmacist capacity and digitised systems. Maternal Care Upgrade: Cottage Hospital (Princess Christian Maternity Hospital) received a rehabilitated, fully equipped 10-bed ward to improve postnatal and newborn care. Women’s Legal Protection: Gender Minister Isata Mahoi unveiled reforms aimed at protecting women and girls, including land rights and ending child marriage. Youth Jobs Focus: Youth Minister Ibrahim Sannoh reaffirmed the 500,000 jobs target, pointing to programmes for over 70,000 young people in areas including climate and agriculture. Agrifood Finance Signal: Ten African countries, including Sierra Leone, increased pledges to IFAD, urging fairer support for rural transformation amid climate and conflict pressures. Road Safety Training: SLRSA boss James Bagie Bio completed an Oxford transport studies programme on equity and justice in transport. Education Fundraising: Rotaract Club of Freetown-Sunset is raising about Le245,000 to complete Lirem Secondary School in Lumley.

Climate Finance & Disaster Justice: St. Vincent and the Grenadines joined the Climate Vulnerable Forum, arguing that small states face overlapping shocks—from Hurricane Beryl to the La Soufrière eruption—and need fair climate finance and stronger recognition of “existential” impacts. Digital Economy & Energy Links: Sierra Leone used a UNGA roundtable to connect energy, telecoms and trade, pushing investment in reliable power and data infrastructure to expand the digital economy. Agriculture Funding for Climate Resilience: Ten African countries, including Sierra Leone, increased pledges to IFAD, urging partners to match funding to strengthen agrifood systems under rising climate and conflict pressures. Health & Regulation: Sierra Leone highlighted the push to modernise pharmacy care as informal medicine trade continues, stressing stronger pharmacist skills and digitised regulation. Maternal Care Upgrade: Cottage Hospital (Princess Christian Maternity Hospital) received a rehabilitated 10-bed ward to improve postnatal and newborn services. Youth & Jobs for Climate Skills: Youth Minister Sannoh reaffirmed a 500,000 jobs target and outlined programmes for tens of thousands, including agriculture and climate-related skills. Local Development Delivery: District Development Progress hit 73.28% implementation of action points, while issues like wetland encroachment and food shortages were flagged for attention.

Youth & Jobs: Youth Affairs Minister Ibrahim Sannoh says Sierra Leone is staying committed to creating 500,000 sustainable jobs, with expanded programmes targeting 70,000+ young people through cash transfers, skills training and employment, including in agriculture, climate change, tech and entrepreneurship. Women’s Rights: Gender Minister Dr Isata Mahoi outlines legal reforms aimed at protecting women and girls, including stronger women’s land rights and moves to eliminate child marriage. Education & Community Resilience: Rotaract Club of Freetown-Sunset is fundraising about Le245,000 to complete Lirem Secondary School in Lumley, with pledges including construction materials like cement. Digital Economy & Energy: At UNGA, Sierra Leone brought energy, telecoms and trade officials together to link electricity supply and data infrastructure for digital growth, including the Sierratel–Africell network model. Health & Regulation: Pharmacy authorities flag the challenge of informal medicine sellers as Sierra Leone pushes a more professional, digitally enabled pharmacy sector. Agriculture & Climate Finance: Ten African countries, including Sierra Leone, announce increased pledges to IFAD to support rural transformation and help farmers adapt to climate shocks. Maternal Care: Cottage Hospital (Princess Christian Maternity Hospital) receives an upgraded 10-bed ward to improve postnatal and newborn care. Local Development Delivery: District Development Coordination shows 73.28% progress on action points, while issues like wetland encroachment, drug challenges and abandoned projects remain.

Digital Economy & Energy: Sierra Leone used a UNGA roundtable to link reliable electricity, telecoms and trade—pushing connectivity as part of the digital economy, with Sierratel’s Africell network model and data-infrastructure standards in focus. Agriculture & Climate Resilience: Ten African countries, including Sierra Leone, increased pledges to IFAD to speed rural transformation as energy, climate and conflict shocks squeeze small farmers and food systems. Health & Regulation: Pharmacy authorities flagged the challenge of informal medicine sales while Sierra Leone works to digitise and professionalise pharmacy care. Foreign Policy & Climate Peacebuilding: Sierra Leone’s foreign minister met Libya’s counterpart on stronger ties, including climate change, inclusive peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery, plus support for an ICJ judge candidature. Women, Safety & Leadership: UN Women launched a Freetown workshop to build a stronger strategy to end violence against women and girls, while First Lady Fatima Bio was honoured at UNGA81. Local Development: District development coordination reported a 73.28% action-point implementation rate, with issues like health financing, wetland encroachment and food shortages flagged.

Pharmacy Regulation & Public Health: Sierra Leone’s push to modernise pharmacy care faces a stubborn gap as informal medicine sellers keep operating outside the regulated system, with World Pharmacists Day used to call for stronger pharmacist training, better recognition, and digitised regulation. Digital Standards for Developers: UNICEF-linked efforts in Freetown spotlight an AI-assisted “DPG Pipeline” to help Sierra Leonean developers meet Digital Public Goods standards before submitting to the registry. Maternal Care Upgrade: Cottage Hospital (Princess Christian Maternity Hospital) in Freetown received a rehabilitated, fully equipped 10-bed ward for postnatal mothers and newborns, including electrical upgrades and mosquito nets. Climate & Cities (Global, with local relevance): At a New York forum on urban heat, Freetown’s mayor joined discussions on how climate action must pair emission cuts with cleaner transport, air quality improvements, and better waste management. Agriculture Resilience Funding: Ten African countries, including Sierra Leone, increased pledges to IFAD, backing rural transformation as climate shocks and conflict strain small farmers and food systems. Women’s Safety Strategy: UN Women began a Freetown workshop to build a Women’s Movement Strategy aimed at ending violence against women and girls, supported by the EU and UN partners. Diplomacy & Climate Peacebuilding: Sierra Leone’s foreign minister met Libya’s counterpart on strengthening ties, including climate change, inclusive peacebuilding, and post-conflict recovery. District Delivery Check: Government reviewed district development coordination, reporting 73.28% implementation of action points, while flagging issues like wetland encroachment and drug-related challenges.