By: Saidu Jalloh
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture II, Hon. Sahr Hemore, on Tuesday received four motorbikes, diagnostic equipment, office furniture, and stationery support on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) from the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) to strengthen surveillance operations at Sierra Leone’s border entry points.
The handover ceremony took place at the FSRP Office in Pipeline, Freetown.
According to officials, the support package includes high-end computers, printers, and other operational materials aimed at improving trade data collection, the diagnosis of zoonotic diseases and pest infestations, and surveillance systems at key border entry points. The intervention targets the Freetown Port, Lungi International Airport, the Gbalamuya Border with Guinea, and the Jendema Border with Liberia.
The Ministry stated that the equipment will enhance early warning mechanisms and facilitate safer regional trade within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region while protecting Sierra Leone’s food sovereignty and national economy.
Speaking during the ceremony, Deputy Minister II Hon. Sahr Hemore said border surveillance operations have for years been constrained by inadequate logistics and limited mobility. He explained that these challenges have hindered the timely detection of pest infestations, contamination, and illegal cross-border activities, posing serious threats to food security and economic stability.
He noted that the newly donated resources would strengthen the capacity of border officers to conduct surveillance activities and promptly report incidents for effective response and informed decision-making.
FSRP Project Manager, Dr. Kepifri Lakoh, disclosed that the programme continues to invest in the production of rice, cassava, and vegetables across Sierra Leone as part of efforts to improve food availability, increase farmers’ incomes, and reduce the country’s dependence on imports.
Dr. Lakoh emphasized that improvements in agricultural production cannot be sustained without strong border surveillance, effective early warning systems, and efficient trade facilitation mechanisms. He reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to supporting the Ministry of Agriculture in securing borders, promoting compliant exports, and strengthening surveillance systems to safeguard Sierra Leone’s food security and economy.