Tuesday 9th June 2026
Venue: Miatta Civic Center, Youyi Building
Key Highlights
By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
Introduction: The Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, and the Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant, appeared at the Government Weekly Press Conference to update the public on progress in the health and energy sectors. Discussions focused on the first 100 days of the 300 Days of Activism campaign to end preventable maternal and child deaths, government investments in healthcare infrastructure, and ongoing efforts to improve electricity generation and distribution nationwide. Femi Coker, a female Journalist also provided a perspective on the energy and health sector. The following are the key highlights:
Minister Chernor Bah announces Cabinet Conclusions
The Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah continues to promote good governance, accountability and transparency at the weekly press conference. Minister Bah announced major cabinet conclusions approved on the 3rd June 2026 at the 8th cabinet meeting. Major approvals on Mining, cement manufacturing, higher education reform, mental health, industrial investment and manufacturing expansion were announced.
Civic Day Series and Presidential Townhall to be held in London and Makeni respectively
Minister Bah further informed the public that, the Civic Day Series will be held in London on the 18th June 2026 to engage Sierra Leoneans living in the UK. On the local front, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio will participate in the National Presidential Townhall which will be held on the 30th June 2026 in Makeni. Minister Bah emphasized that, these two events signify government’s continued commitment to broaden the civic space for citizens to directly engage with their leaders.
300 Days of Activism Records Significant Gains
The Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, announced that the first 100 days of the government’s 300 Days of Activism campaign have yielded encouraging results in maternal and child healthcare.
He disclosed that maternal mortality has reduced by 31 percent, while infant mortality has declined by 11 percent. The Minister also revealed that approximately 5,000 children who had never received routine vaccinations have now been identified and vaccinated, representing a 55% increase in new childhood vaccinations and reducing the number of zero-dose children by nearly half.
Dr. Demby attributed these achievements to strong collaboration among healthcare workers, traditional leaders, local authorities, communities, development partners, mothers and families across the country.
Government Pursues Zero Preventable Maternal and Child Deaths
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to achieving three key objectives under the campaign: zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and universal protection of children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
While acknowledging the progress made, he stressed that the next phase of the campaign will focus on intensive action in communities across the country to ensure that every mother and child receives essential healthcare services.
He called on citizens, community leaders, civil society organizations, journalists, and development partners to support the campaign and help achieve its ambitious goals.
Health Sector Expands Infrastructure and Energy Access
Dr. Demby highlighted major investments in healthcare infrastructure aimed at improving service delivery nationwide.
He announced that 18 of Sierra Leone’s 20 major hospitals are now energy-independent through solar power systems developed in partnership with the Ministry of Energy. Connaught Hospital currently operates on a 1.2-megawatt solar energy system, while approximately 380 health facilities across the country have been equipped with solar power installations.
The Minister further disclosed plans for the construction of a 300-bed hospital in Kerry Town, a modern cancer diagnosis and treatment centre, and a large-scale oxygen production facility to strengthen healthcare services in the Western Area.
Government Advances Universal Health Coverage Agenda
Speaking on healthcare reforms, Dr. Demby emphasized that Sierra Leone is transitioning from disease-centered interventions to a people-centered healthcare system as part of its Universal Health Coverage agenda.
He explained that government is adopting a life-stage approach to healthcare delivery, covering pregnancy, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age.
According to him, significant investments are being made in primary healthcare through the construction and rehabilitation of health facilities, recruitment of health workers, and improved availability of medicines and equipment.
Major Investments in Hospitals, Ambulances and Human Resources
The Health Minister announced that government is constructing new 100-bed hospitals in Karene, Pujehun and Moyamba to strengthen secondary healthcare services.
He also highlighted investments in advanced medical technologies including CT scanners, dialysis machines and ultrasound equipment.
Dr. Demby disclosed that ambulance services have been strengthened nationwide with GPS tracking systems, oxygen support and trained personnel to improve emergency response through the 117 emergency line.
On human resource development, he revealed that the annual number of doctors being trained has increased from about 30 to approximately 250, with plans to expand the figure to 300 annually. Similar investments are also being made in the training of nurses and midwives.
Minister of Energy Explains Recent Power Outages
Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant, addressed concerns over recent electricity interruptions, particularly in Freetown.
He explained that the outages were largely caused by seasonal reductions in water levels at the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Dam and the annual maintenance of one of its turbines.
According to the Minister, maintenance work has now been completed and Bumbuna is generating between 9 and 10 megawatts of electricity, while Karpowership and thermal generation facilities continue to supplement supply to the national grid.
President Bio to Commission 30MW Solar Project
The Minister announced that President Julius Maada Bio is expected to commission the completed 30-megawatt solar power project at Newton on the 10th June 2026.
The project includes a 15-megawatt battery storage system designed to strengthen electricity supply to the Freetown network and improve reliability.
He also revealed that a 20-megawatt solar power project is under construction at Benguema, while a 10-megawatt solar generation facility is being developed in Lungi under the Regional Emergency Solar Project.
Nant Energy and Bumbuna Expansion to Boost Power Supply
Mr. Grant disclosed that the Nant Energy Project remains on track, with turbine equipment already delivered to site.
The project is expected to generate 60 megawatts during its first phase in the first quarter of 2027 before expanding to 108 megawatts later in the year.
Additionally, government has signed agreements worth approximately $70 million to expand the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project, which is expected to add between 50 and 60 megawatts of generation capacity and significantly increase electricity production during the rainy season.
Government Targets Reliable Electricity by 2027
The Energy Minister expressed confidence that significant improvements in electricity supply will become evident beginning in the first quarter of 2027 as several generation projects come online.
He emphasized that government is simultaneously investing in substations, transmission lines, transformers and distribution infrastructure to ensure that increased generation translates into improved service delivery.
Mr. Grant concluded that reliable electricity remains essential for attracting investment, supporting businesses, creating jobs and driving Sierra Leone’s long-term economic development.
Female Journalist provides perspective on both Energy and Health Sector
Femi Coker, the Managing Editor of Women’s Voice Newspaper commended the Ministry of Health for the progress made in maternal mortality and other areas in the health sector. She called on the Minister of Energy to deploy community policing to tackle electricity theft and vandalism. He urged citizens to be responsible in information dissemination and thrive to promote the image of the country. Madam Femi called on citizens to be partners with the government in promoting national development and report any illegal activities in the health and energy sector.
