Social Welfare Ministry Sends 25-Member Delegation to China for Professional Training
Alusine Ahmed Kargbo The Ministry of Social Welfare on Tuesday held a send-off ceremony for a 25-member delegation of social welfare workers scheduled to travel to Fuzhou City, China, for a two-week capacity-building programme.
The ceremony was held Oct. 6, 2026, at the ministry’s conference hall in New England Ville, Freetown. The delegation is scheduled to depart Sierra Leone on Thursday, Oct. 8.
The training will focus on social services, social security and social welfare. The ministry says the programme is intended to strengthen the knowledge and skills of its personnel and improve the delivery of social welfare services.
The delegation comprises 13 women and 12 men, making it the largest group ever sent by the Ministry of Social Welfare for international training in social welfare.
Participants were selected from across the country and include staff from the ministry’s directorates, agencies, commissions, district offices, remand homes, Family Support Units and other social welfare institutions.
John Conteh, acting director of Religious Affairs at the ministry, is leading the delegation, with Aisha Iscandri serving as deputy head.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Social Welfare Melrose Karminty said the training followed a proposal submitted by the ministry to the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone to strengthen the capacity of social welfare professionals.
Karminty said the initiative is in line with President Julius Maada Bio’s Human Capital Development agenda and reflects the importance of strengthening the skills of professionals responsible for social welfare services.
She urged the delegates to approach the programme with professionalism and responsibility, stressing that the trip was intended for training and professional development rather than leisure.
Each delegate will be required to submit an individual report after returning to Sierra Leone. The report will outline what the participant learned in China and how the knowledge and skills gained can be applied to their respective duties.
The ministry plans to compile the reports and present them to the Chinese Embassy as a gesture of appreciation for its support.
Karminty said the current programme could also create opportunities for further capacity-building within the ministry.
She highlighted the importance of training for personnel working in remand homes and Family Support Units, where officers regularly interact with people facing complex social, psychological and other challenges.
The minister also highlighted the participation of 13 women in the delegation, saying their inclusion reflects the government’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Former beneficiaries of similar training programmes also addressed the delegation during the ceremony. They advised the participants to prepare for cultural differences, respect Chinese culture, pay attention to details and ask questions when necessary.
They also reminded the delegates that they would be representing themselves, their families, the Ministry of Social Welfare and Sierra Leone during their stay in China.
Responding on behalf of the delegation, the new beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the opportunity and pledged to conduct themselves responsibly throughout the programme.
They also committed to gaining relevant knowledge and skills and applying what they learn to improve their work after returning to Sierra Leone.
The Ministry of Social Welfare expressed appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone and the Government and Embassy of the People’s Republic of China for supporting the training programme.
The delegation is scheduled to spend two weeks in Fuzhou City before returning to Sierra Leone.