Freetown: The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation held its Quarter One National WASH Coordination Meeting at the Family Kingdom Resort in Freetown, bringing together government institutions, development partners, NGOs, civil society groups, and private sector actors to review progress and strengthen collaboration in Sierra Leone's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene sector.

According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Director General of the National Water Resources Management Agency, Ing. Piere Palmer, emphasized the importance of coordination and accountability in achieving sustainable WASH services during his welcome address. He stated the government's commitment to achieving universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation through improved systems, strengthened data management, and enhanced stakeholder collaboration.

Development partners expressed their continued support during the meeting. African Development Bank Country Manager, Michael Kargbo, praised the Ministry and pledged ongoing backing for infrastructure development, institutional strengthening, and data-driven planning. World Hope International-Sierra Leone Country Director, Madam Grace Kargbo, advocated for collective action, information sharing, and sustained collaboration to improve WASH outcomes for vulnerable communities.

Madam Pamela Konneh, speaking on behalf of the Director of NGO Affairs at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, highlighted the coordination platform's role in fostering transparency and partnership building. She commended the Ministry's strong performance in NGO and district-level coordination in 2025 and urged stakeholders to align interventions with national development priorities.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Macarthy, delivered the keynote address, affirming the government's commitment to strengthening the WASH sector under President Julius Maada Bio. She outlined the centrality of access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene services to public health, environmental protection, and national development. Dr. Macarthy also called for enhanced preparedness for cholera outbreaks through improved surveillance, community engagement, and rapid response systems, and discussed efforts to operationalize digital platforms like WASHIMS and WASH-NORM to improve sector planning, monitoring, transparency, and accountability.