BY: MOHAMED SAHR
In response to warnings of an impending food crisis in Sierra Leone, experts gathered at the City Council New Building on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024, for a crucial engagement hosted by the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF). The meeting aimed to address pressing concerns regarding food nutrition and resilience in the country.
Patrick Kormawa, Director of Agricultural and Food Security at PI-CREC, emphasized the urgent need to review current and future food systems in Sierra Leone. He stressed the importance of developing actionable recommendations to prevent the exacerbation of food and nutrition insecurity, particularly during the lean period expected this year.
The meeting was prompted by recent warnings from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and its partners, indicating that Sierra Leone faces its worst food sufficiency crisis in the next six months without immediate intervention.
Kormawa underscored that addressing food system challenges requires a multi-sectoral approach and called for collaboration across various sectors. Highlighting international support, he noted the Irish government’s backing of a major program under the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food System for Nutrition (GLOPAN), which aims to enhance food system resilience in selected countries, including Sierra Leone.
Professor Sandy Thomas, Director of GLOPAN Secretariat, emphasized the importance of developing sustainable and healthy diets. Under the Feed Salone initiative, she envisioned leveraging existing programs to address food security issues and promote healthier eating habits in Sierra Leone.
The collaboration between GLOPAN and Sierra Leone, along with Malawi and Ethiopia, is set to span 12 months with a focus on building resilience in food systems, both during normalcy and times of crisis.
Peter Kaindaneh, Chief Adviser of PI-CREF, highlighted the diverse expertise present at the meeting, ranging from food production to nutrition. He urged participants, including representatives from the United Nations, Ministry of Agriculture, GLOPAN Secretariat, and SLARI, to contribute towards achieving tangible outcomes.
Abdulai Jalloh, Chief Agriculturist at the Ministry of Agriculture, commended the initiative, recognizing its potential to make a significant impact on transforming food systems in Sierra Leone. He emphasized the importance of leveraging insider knowledge and expertise to ensure success.
Throughout the meeting, participants emphasized the need for continued government support for initiatives such as the school feeding program, promotion of sustainable and healthy food consumption, and the endorsement of locally certified health foods by the Standards Bureau.
As discussions progressed, it became evident that concerted efforts and collaboration across sectors are essential to mitigate the looming food crisis and build a more resilient food system in Sierra Leone.
