Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has signed a transformative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Columbia University in the United States, marking a significant milestone in the country’s development. The MoU, which was signed on 12th August 2025, was officially unveiled by Columbia University on 27th August, opening the door to a new era of research, education, and innovation in Sierra Leone and West Africa.
The agreement, forged between Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Information and Civic Education, signifies a powerful collaboration aimed at improving health, education, and development outcomes in Sierra Leone. Dr. Thoai Ngo, Professor and Chair of the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health (PopFam) at Columbia, and Minister Chernor Bah signed the landmark MoU, marking the beginning of a new phase of partnership.
At the heart of this collaboration is the goal of empowering Sierra Leone’s next generation of leaders. By investing in research, training, and knowledge exchange, the two institutions aim to cultivate a new cohort of experts who will drive forward health, equity, and sustainable development in Sierra Leone and the broader West African region.
As Minister Bah remarked, “Sierra Leone’s greatest asset is its young people—and investing in their education is how we invest in our future.” This partnership promises to provide world-class educational opportunities and training to Sierra Leone’s youth, equipping them with the skills needed to make a meaningful impact both within the country and across the region.
The partnership between Columbia University and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Information and Civic Education will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and resources that will directly benefit the people of Sierra Leone. By anchoring collaboration in Sierra Leone, both institutions aim to generate vital research, strengthen local expertise, and influence policies that will improve health and development outcomes.
Dr. Ngo expressed the strategic importance of the collaboration, saying, “Investing in research and training in Sierra Leone is not only vital for the country but also strategic for the entire region.” This MoU exemplifies the power of partnership and the potential for positive, transformative change in Sierra Leone and beyond.
The signing of this MoU marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between Columbia University and Sierra Leone. Minister Bah emphasized that the partnership will contribute to building a “center of excellence” in West Africa. He stated, “By deepening educational and research partnerships with Columbia University, we’re building a center of excellence in West Africa—one that generates the evidence we need to drive health, equity, and sustainable development.”
This collaboration will not only enhance the quality of education and research but also position Sierra Leone as a hub for others to learn from, with the potential to lead the way in health, civic education, and development initiatives across the region.
The benefits of the MoU are far-reaching. It includes training for government officials, raising citizen awareness of their civic duties and responsibilities, and positioning Sierra Leone as a model for other nations to follow. Through these efforts, the partnership will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Sierra Leone, promoting good governance, and ensuring that citizens are empowered to contribute to the country’s development.
This historic agreement underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to becoming a leader in innovation, research, and development in West Africa, with Columbia University serving as a key partner in this transformative journey.
