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Ms. Mariko Kagoshima has officially assumed her role as the new UNICEF Representative in Sierra Leone after presenting her credentials to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Francess Piagie Alghali, on Tuesday.
In her new position, Kagoshima will lead UNICEF’s collaboration with the Sierra Leonean government and local partners to advance the rights and well-being of children across the country, particularly those facing the greatest vulnerabilities.
Her leadership will directly guide the implementation of the UNICEF Sierra Leone Country Programme for 2025–2030. The initiative aims to build on recent national progress for children while addressing the persistent barriers that prevent equitable access to essential services and opportunities.
Accepting the credentials on behalf of the government, Deputy Minister Alghali welcomed Kagoshima to Freetown and highlighted the longstanding partnership between Sierra Leone and the UN agency.
“Children, especially girls, are central to Sierra Leone’s human development agenda, and we greatly value UNICEF’s technical expertise and capacity-strengthening support,” Alghali said. She also pointed to upcoming collaborative efforts, including the government’s preparations for reporting under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
During the ceremony, Kagoshima reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to ensuring that every child in Sierra Leone has the protection and services required to fulfill their potential.
Kagoshima brings extensive international humanitarian and development experience to her new post. Prior to arriving in Sierra Leone, she served as UNICEF’s Deputy Representative in Ethiopia, where she oversaw one of the organization’s largest country programs with a focus on climate action, innovation, and resilience.
Her career also includes a tenure as the UNICEF Representative in Jamaica, alongside senior leadership and program roles in Guatemala, Honduras, Uganda, Angola, Afghanistan, and Mexico.
