The Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Ing, Francis Alpha Kallon engaged the lead consultant for the World Bank funded WASH development program for Sierra Leone, Prof Kwabena Nyarko.

Kallon and Nyarko met at the World Water Week that was convened in Stockholm, Sweden, which which brought together global leaders in the water and climate resilience sectors.

The two men discussed issues affecting the Urban and Rural Water and Sanitation Strategy, the WASH Policy, and also the ministry strategic plan.

The Deputy Minister Francis Alpha Kallon told Prof Kwabena Nyarko that preparation of the WASH Development Plan (2025-2030) will help guide the sector towards providing universal and sustainable access to safe water and sanitation services for Sierra Leone.

He disclosed that they will want to see the document aligned with the Medium Term National Development Plan, including embracing elements of climate-resilient WASH infrastructure.

He also emphasized on the need for the assignment to be completed within the set timeframe, adding that the leadership of the Ministry would continue to provide the requisite support to the World Bank Country Office to instill confidence.

Prof. Nyarko in his response assured the Deputy Minister that the final WASH Development Program Document will be completed and submitted to the Ministry in December 2024, which he said will form the basis for engagement with development partners to solicit funding to support the WASH sector multi-year program implementation.

Before the appointment of Francis Alpha Kallon and the Minister Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Max-Kyne, the World Bank had temporality halted support to the WASH sector.