The Government of Sierra Leone has launched a new 10-year national strategy to improve water, sanitation and hygiene services, but officials have warned that the plan could fail if it is not properly implemented.
The strategy, which covers the period 2026 to 2035, is aimed at expanding access to clean water, improving sanitation facilities and strengthening hygiene practices across the country. Government officials say the plan is designed to address long-standing problems in the sector that continue to affect health, education and economic growth.
Speaking during the launch, authorities stressed that previous policies in the water and sanitation sector did not achieve the expected results, mainly because of weak coordination, lack of funding and poor follow-up during implementation. They warned that the new strategy will only succeed if ministries, local councils, development partners and communities all play their roles.
The 10-year roadmap is expected to guide national efforts to provide safe water and better sanitation services for millions of people, especially in rural areas where access remains low. Experts say poor water and sanitation systems continue to contribute to disease, school absenteeism and loss of productivity in the country.
Development partners supporting the programme say the strategy focuses not only on building infrastructure, but also on strengthening institutions, improving planning and ensuring proper management of projects so that facilities remain functional over time.
Government officials say the success of the plan will depend on strong monitoring, transparent use of funds and continuous community involvement, warning that without these, the country risks repeating past failures in the WASH sector.
