By: Saidu Jalloh
The National Public Health Agency (NPHA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and with support from CORUS International, has validated its 2026 Annual Work Plan (AWP) following a three-day national workshop held from January 27 to 29 at Occasion Resort, Lakka.
The validation workshop brought together senior government officials, public health experts, and development partners to review, refine, and align NPHA’s strategic priorities for 2026. The AWP serves as the Agency’s key planning framework, guiding implementation, strengthening accountability, and ensuring measurable impact across Sierra Leone’s public health system.
The workshop opened with remarks from the Director of Policy, Planning, and Research, followed by a presentation on the workshop objectives by Dr. Amos Boima. Chairing the proceedings, Dr. James Squire described the AWP as the “collective voice of NPHA,” emphasizing that it reflects the contributions and responsibilities of all Directorates and Units within the Agency.
Representing CORUS International, Mr. David Fifi Manuel and Mr. Mohamed S. T. Kamara highlighted the organization’s continued support to Sierra Leone, particularly in epidemic preparedness, maternal and child health, workforce monitoring, and One Health initiatives. Officially opening the workshop, the Deputy Executive Director of NPHA, Alhaji Dr. Mohammed Alex Vandi, urged staff to prioritize realistic, achievable, and measurable activities in the 2026 plan.
On the second day, Directorates, Programmes, and Units presented their respective Annual Work Plans under the moderation of Miss Rachael A. Kuyembeh. These presentations were followed by plenary discussions, technical reviews, and corrections to ensure alignment with national health priorities and NPHA’s institutional goals.
Activities on the final day continued with additional presentations and discussions, after which CORUS International delivered a reflection statement. Mr. Kamara commended NPHA for its structured and inclusive planning process, while Mr. Manuel recommended the consolidation of training activities into a centralized database to reduce duplication and improve efficiency.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Kanu, Manager of Surveillance and Epidemiology, who thanked participants and partners for their valuable contributions and emphasized the importance of timely submission of the finalized AWPs.
With the validation completed, the 2026 Annual Work Plan now stands as NPHA’s official roadmap for the year, reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to collaboration, accountability, and the protection of public health in Sierra Leone.