VP Jalloh Warns Against Policy Gaps, Pushes Stronger State Coordination

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has called for stronger coordination and collaboration among government institutions to ensure that national policies translate into tangible benefits for Sierra Leoneans.

He made the call on Thursday, August 20, 2026, while officially opening the National Symposium on Policy Coherence, Coordination and State Effectiveness at the Foreign Affairs Academy in Freetown.

According to the Vice President, Sierra Leone does not necessarily lack policies, but faces challenges in implementing them effectively due to weak coordination among ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). He said issues such as food security, youth employment and healthcare require joint action across multiple institutions rather than isolated efforts.

Dr. Jalloh also stressed the importance of using evidence and information from communities in policymaking. He cited unreliable electricity in hospitals and its impact on medical equipment as an example of how challenges in one sector can undermine government programmes in another.

He said improved coordination is central to President Julius Maada Bio’s public sector reform programme, which aims to build a more efficient, professional, responsive and results-oriented public service.

The Vice President urged public servants to focus not only on developing policies and programmes but also on their actual impact on citizens. He called for policies to have clearly defined responsibilities, realistic funding, clear implementation plans, measurable targets and regular monitoring.

With Sierra Leone facing limited resources and competing national priorities, Dr. Jalloh warned against duplication and fragmentation and urged government institutions to work together, maximise available resources and ensure that national development priorities deliver meaningful improvements in the lives of citizens.

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