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Sierra Leone has taken a significant step toward safeguarding one of its key staple and commercial crops as stakeholders met in Freetown to review the country’s Cassava Viral Diseases Preparedness and Response Plan.
The technical workshop, held on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 at the YWCA Hall opposite Youyi Building in Brookfields, brought together the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), the Central and West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE Sierra Leone) Institute, Njala University, research institutions, and regulatory agencies.
Funded by the European Union under the Biorisk Project, the review focused on strengthening national capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to cassava viral disease outbreaks that could threaten food security and agricultural livelihoods.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Agricultural Officer at MAFS, Professor Abdulai Jalloh, stressed the importance of inclusive stakeholder participation in refining the national response strategy. He noted that cassava remains a vital economic and food security crop for Sierra Leone and requires sustained protection.
He said the review process would help authorities better position resources and coordination mechanisms to effectively address potential disease threats affecting cassava production.
For his part, the Country Director of WAVE Sierra Leone, Dr. Alusaine E. Samura, emphasized the urgency of proactive planning, noting that Sierra Leone must draw lessons from regional simulation exercises conducted in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Gabon in 2022.
Dr. Samura warned that waiting for an outbreak before responding would be risky, urging stakeholders to strengthen preparedness systems in advance. He specifically highlighted the threat posed by Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) and the Ugandan strain of cassava mosaic viral disease, both of which have caused significant crop losses in other regions.
He further noted that while CBSD has not yet been detected in Sierra Leone, the country must remain vigilant against its possible spread as a trans-boundary agricultural threat.
Also speaking, Dr. Raymonda Johnson, Assistant Director of Crops at MAFS, underscored the importance of early preparedness, improved data collection, and effective communication systems in managing plant health emergencies.
She said the initiative would not only strengthen the safety and quality of cassava production but also support export potential and contribute to foreign exchange earnings. Dr. Johnson added that the engagement would enhance researchers’ capacity to develop innovative solutions and respond to emerging agricultural diseases and technologies.
The workshop reaffirmed national and international commitment to protecting cassava production through coordinated research, early warning systems, and strengthened response mechanisms aimed at safeguarding food security and rural livelihoods.
