Government Moves to Strengthen Legal Protection for Older Persons in Sierra Leone
Osman Tolo Sesay The Government of Sierra Leone is considering a new statutory framework to strengthen the protection and welfare of older persons as part of broader efforts to improve coordination within the country’s social protection system.
The issue was highlighted during a courtesy meeting in Freetown involving the National Social Safety Net (NSSN), the Directorate of Social Protection at the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, and the National Social Protection Authority (NSPA).
Director of Social Protection, Duraman Songo, said the Government is working to transform the NSSN from a Cabinet-established unit into a statutory institution, potentially through the creation of a commission, authority or agency. He said the proposed transition would provide a clearer legal mandate for addressing the needs and vulnerabilities of older persons.
“We want to take this unit to another level,” Songo said, while pointing to Sierra Leone’s National Ageing Policy as an existing framework for addressing issues affecting older people.
He said dedicated legislation would provide a stronger basis for implementing protections and services for the ageing population. The NSSN was established about 25 years ago through a Cabinet conclusion to respond to the welfare needs of people aged 60 and above.
It currently supports vulnerable older persons through the non-contributory National Social Safety Net cash-transfer programme administered by the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security.
NSSN Director Ibrahim Sheriff Kanu said the unit has contributed to developing and implementing social protection policies, strategies, and cash-transfer programmes targeting older persons.
He explained that its work is guided by the life-cycle approach contained in Sierra Leone’s Social Protection Strategy, which recognises that different population groups face different forms of vulnerability.
Director-General of the NSPA, Abu Bakar Kokofelle, stressed the importance of stronger coordination between the Authority and the Ministry to improve social protection delivery.
He disclosed that the NSPA, in partnership with UNICEF, is preparing an assessment of existing social protection institutions, programmes, coverage, funding sources and challenges.
According to Kokofelle, findings from the assessment are expected to inform the review of Sierra Leone’s national Social Protection Policy and Strategy and help strengthen the country’s social protection system.
The NSPA was established under the Social Protection Act, 2024, with responsibility for coordinating social protection programmes and improving services for vulnerable populations. Its broader mandate includes supporting an inclusive social protection system that provides a minimum protection floor for Sierra Leoneans.
NSPA Director of Programs and Grants, Mohamed Bundu, welcomed efforts to strengthen the NSSN, noting that specialised institutions serving different vulnerable groups could improve coordination and service delivery.
The discussions also highlighted the potential for stronger institutional support for older persons, persons with disabilities, children, women and young people as Government works to expand social protection across different stages of the life cycle.
The meeting ended with the participating institutions reaffirming the need for continued collaboration, institutional development and stronger coordination to improve protection and support for older persons and other vulnerable groups across Sierra Leone.