By: Precious Miracle Kargbo SNR
Sierra Leone will host the 27th Assembly of Health Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Freetown from 20 to 25 April 2026. Regional leaders are set to address persistent maternal, child, and infant mortality through a proposed Freetown Charter.
The week-long event will bring together approximately 500 delegates, including ministers, technical experts, and health partners from across West Africa. During a press conference held at Radisson Blu Freetown on 20 April, Health Minister Austin Demby stated that Sierra Leone, as the Chair of the Assembly, is spearheading efforts to develop a technology-driven and data-informed roadmap to reduce preventable deaths in the region.
At the core of the agenda is the Freetown Charter, a framework that outlines clear commitments and measurable pathways for member states to improve maternal and child health outcomes. The Ministry of Health announced that the Charter has already been endorsed by the Director-General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) and will be formally presented during the ministerial sessions for adoption as a binding regional resolution.
“This conference is about aligning our efforts, strengthening accountability, and accelerating progress for the communities most affected by maternal and child health challenges,” Minister Demby remarked. He emphasized that the Charter draws on lessons learned from Sierra Leone and other national experiences, aiming to create a unified ECOWAS-wide approach supported by reliable data and real-time monitoring.
The WAHO Director-General, in a statement ahead of the Assembly, called the meeting the region’s highest political decision-making body on health. He stressed that diseases do not respect borders, and member states must adopt collective, coordinated, and solidarity-based responses rather than fragmented national efforts.
The timing of the Assembly coincides with World Malaria Day on 25 April. Organizers announced that a regional march titled “One March, One Vision: A Malaria-Free West Africa” will be held in collaboration with Sierra Leonean authorities and partners to mobilize public support for malaria elimination.
In addition to the main sessions, the Assembly will address broader health priorities, including regional cooperation mechanisms, the efficient use of domestic resources, and health sovereignty. Stakeholders believe this meeting presents an opportunity to harmonize policies and set measurable targets to guide implementation across ECOWAS member states.
Minister Demby expressed confidence that the Freetown Charter will become the conference’s legacy outcome not only shaping policy debates but also driving tangible action across West Africa’s health systems. He added that extensive consultations and technical groundwork have already generated momentum among member states for a unified framework.
The Assembly aims to reinforce regional cooperation in health delivery while positioning Sierra Leone’s success in reducing maternal mortality as a model for wider adoption. Organizers highlighted that the primary focus will be on turning commitments into measurable improvements for families across the region.