By: Aminata Sesay
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), through its Livestock and Veterinary Services Division, has graduated 20 trainees under the second cohort of the In-service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) programme. The initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening animal health systems across Sierra Leone.
The graduation and certification ceremony was held on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, at the Ministry’s Conference Hall on the first floor of the Youyi Building. The event brought together government officials, development partners and key stakeholders in the livestock sector.
The ISAVET programme is designed to build national capacity in veterinary epidemiology and disease surveillance. It is implemented with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization and funded by the United States Agency for International Development and the World Bank Pandemic Fund.
Addressing the graduates, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, congratulated the cohort and emphasized their critical role in safeguarding public health and advancing the government’s agricultural transformation agenda.
He described the newly trained veterinarians as a vital workforce in combating zoonotic diseases, noting that their expertise will directly support the success of the Feed Salone initiative. “The country needs your skills now more than ever to address animal health challenges and protect livelihoods,” he stated.
The Director of Livestock and Veterinary Services, Saidu Bamayange, urged the graduates to apply their knowledge in practical settings. He encouraged them to strengthen disease surveillance systems and improve veterinary service delivery in their respective districts.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Dube Kululeko, representing the FAO, commended the strong collaboration behind the programme. He highlighted the role of mentorship from partner universities and emphasized the effectiveness of the One Health approach in addressing challenges at the human-animal-environment interface.
“The One Health approach remains the most practical and impactful strategy for managing diseases across human, animal and environmental systems,” he noted.
The ISAVET programme forms part of broader efforts by the government and its partners to strengthen resilience within the livestock sector. Officials disclosed that preparations are already underway for Cohort III, as demand for skilled veterinary epidemiologists continues to grow.
With increased investment in livestock development, the Ministry aims to expand the pool of trained professionals capable of responding to disease outbreaks, improving food security and supporting rural livelihoods nationwide.