In a move towards enhancing social welfare in Sierra Leone, the World Bank and UNICEF, alongside the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mr Mohamed Rahman Swarray, on January 23, 2025. This visit followed the recent enactment of the Social Protection Act, a landmark legislation aimed at improving the social safety net for vulnerable populations in the country. The meeting, held at the Minister’s office in New England Ville, served as a platform for congratulating the Minister and discussing the next steps for the effective implementation of the new law. Dr. Abu Kargbo, a representative from the World Bank, commenced the dialogue by extending heartfelt congratulations to Minister Swarray and his team for their tireless efforts in facilitating the passage of the Social Protection Act.
He expressed the World Bank’s satisfaction with this development, noting that the organization had been anticipating the law’s enactment for an extended period. Dr. Kargbo emphasized that this legislation represents a crucial step towards enhancing the social protection framework in Sierra Leone, which is vital for the country’s development. During the meeting, Dr. Kargbo outlined a collaborative initiative between the World Bank and UNICEF to establish a comprehensive framework for the launch of the new Social Protection Act. He indicated that this launch would be a significant event, with hopes that key stakeholders, including the President or Vice President, would be in attendance.
In this regard, Dr. Kargbo sought the Minister’s endorsement to proceed with the initiative and proposed the formation of a technical working committee. This committee would be tasked with developing a roadmap for the launch and ensuring that all necessary preparations are in place for a successful rollout of the Act. In addition to the launch, Dr. Kargbo highlighted the World Bank’s commitment to providing additional funding for the second phase of cash transfer payments aimed at supporting the elderly population.
He also mentioned the availability of resources to aid in the development of the National Ageing Policy into a formal legislative bill, further underscoring the World Bank’s dedication to enhancing social welfare in Sierra Leone. Madam Munar, representing UNICEF, raised pertinent questions regarding the establishment of the authority mandated by the new Social Protection Act. She inquired about the steps that had been taken thus far to set up this key feature, emphasizing the importance of having a functional authority to oversee the implementation of the law effectively. Joining the delegation was Senior Director Idris Turay from NaCSA, who also took the opportunity to commend the Minister and his team for their unwavering commitment to the successful passage of the Social Protection Act. Mr Turay stressed the necessity of fully understanding the provisions of the new law, as this knowledge would be instrumental in equipping stakeholders to take further steps toward its successful implementation. In response to the discussions, Minister Swarray expressed his gratitude to the visiting team and acknowledged their collective support throughout the development of the new Act.
He reiterated his ministry’s readiness to collaborate with development partners, particularly the World Bank and UNICEF, who have proven to be reliable allies in advancing the country’s development agenda. The Minister assured the delegation of his commitment to working together for the successful implementation of the new law, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in achieving the desired outcomes. The meeting concluded with a collective agreement among all parties to establish a technical working committee.
This committee will focus on discussing the logistics for the launch of the Social Protection Act as well as developing the necessary regulations to support the new legislation. The collaborative spirit displayed during the meeting reflects a shared commitment to improving the social safety net in Sierra Leone, paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive environment for the nation’s vulnerable populations.
