The Deputy Minister of Agriculture II, Hon. Sahr Hemore, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has officially received a package of operational equipment from the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) aimed at reinforcing Sierra Leone’s border surveillance and trade monitoring systems. The handover ceremony took place on 25th May at the FSRP Office in Pipeline, Freetown.
The support package includes four motorbikes, diagnostic equipment comprising high-end computers and printers, office furniture, and essential stationery materials. These resources will enhance operations at key national entry points, notably the Freetown Port, Lungi International Airport, the Gbalamuya Border with Guinea, and the Jendema Border with Liberia.
The intervention is expected to significantly improve the collection of trade data, strengthen the diagnosis and monitoring of zoonotic diseases and pest infestations, and reinforce surveillance mechanisms along Sierra Leone’s borders. It will also bolster early warning systems and facilitate safer regional trade within the ECOWAS space while contributing to the protection of the country’s food sovereignty and national economy.
Speaking during the ceremony, Deputy Minister II Hon. Sahr Hemore underscored the persistent challenges confronting border surveillance services, particularly the lack of adequate equipment and mobility. According to him, these constraints have long hampered the timely detection of pest outbreaks, food contamination, and illicit cross-border activities, exposing both food systems and the economy to significant risks. He stressed that the newly delivered equipment will greatly enhance the capacity of border officers to conduct effective surveillance and ensure rapid reporting for informed decision-making.
The FSRP Project Manager, Dr. Kepifri Lakoh, reaffirmed the program’s commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s agricultural resilience through sustained investments in rice, cassava, and vegetable production nationwide. He emphasized that these interventions are designed to improve food availability, increase farmers’ incomes, and reduce the country’s dependence on food imports.
Dr. Lakoh further noted that agricultural production gains can only be sustained through effective early warning systems, robust border surveillance, and efficient trade facilitation mechanisms. He reiterated FSRP’s determination to continue supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in securing borders, promoting compliant exports, and strengthening surveillance systems that safeguard Sierra Leone’s food security and economic stability.
