Tuesday, 20th January 2026
Key Highlights
By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education convened its weekly press conference to update the public on key Cabinet decisions, national development performance, governance reforms, infrastructure progress, and government priorities for 2026. Senior government officials addressed transparency measures, economic performance, electoral reforms, and ongoing development initiatives. The following are the key highlights:
Cabinet Transparency and Accountability
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, announced that President Dr Julius Maada Bio and Cabinet have agreed that all Cabinet conclusions will henceforth be read at the Weekly Government Press Conference. He described the decision as unprecedented and a strong demonstration of the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and bringing governance closer to the people.
President Bio’s Participation at the World Economic Forum
Minister Bah informed the public that President Dr Julius Maada Bio is in Davos, Switzerland, attending the World Economic Forum. He described the forum as a global gathering of world leaders and noted that this marks the first time a President of Sierra Leone has been invited. He attributed this recognition to President Bio’s leadership both nationally and on the global stage.
Performance of the National Development Plan
Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh stated that nearly all targets set in the National Development Plan for 2025, covering health, education, and agriculture, were achieved, with only a few shortfalls.
The Chief Minister highlighted key gains in 2025, including a reduction in inflation, a 30 percent reduction in rice prices, the development of pricing formulas for other essential commodities to stabilize prices, and the stabilization of the exchange rate over the past three years.
Performance Tracking Table and Cabinet Outputs
Dr Sengeh explained that the Performance Tracking Table (PTT) incorporates audit recommendations, Cabinet conclusions, and significant portions of the National Development Plan, enabling the tracking of ministerial performance against set targets. He disclosed that in 2025, the government delivered 113 Cabinet papers, of which 85 were approved and the remainder withdrawn. He assured the public that the PTT report will be released this year as part of the government’s transparency drive.
Challenges in Auditing and Digitization
The Chief Minister identified digitization as a major challenge in the audit process, noting that many government institutions still rely heavily on paper-based systems, increasing the risk of misplaced receipts and records. He urged MDAs to digitize their operations for seamless auditing, while acknowledging that human behavior remains a challenge despite progress in digitizing government services.
Clarification on the Tripartite Steering Committee
Addressing misconceptions surrounding the Tripartite Steering Committee, Dr Sengeh clarified that the committee has been meeting quarterly to advance its work. He announced that electoral reforms arising from the Tripartite recommendations will soon be presented to Parliament for approval.
Infrastructure Development and Road Construction
On infrastructure, the Chief Minister presented comparative statistics showing that the APC government constructed 432 kilometers of road in 11 years, while the Bio administration has constructed 442 kilometers in seven years. He reaffirmed that infrastructure remains a government priority, with plans to construct more roads and bridges across the country in 2026.
Government Priorities for 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, the Chief Minister said citizens should expect the construction of an agriculture bank, increased egg production, expansion of the school feeding program, continued reduction in maternal mortality, improvements in the minimum wage, the rollout of a health insurance scheme, a 45 percent increase in electricity access, expansion of social protection to the informal sector, improved financial inclusion, and continued prudent economic management.
ECOWAS Hosting and Infrastructure Upgrades
Dr Sengeh announced that Sierra Leone will host ECOWAS in 2026, a development that will lead to further infrastructure upgrades across the country.
Update on Kono University
The Chief Minister assured the people of Kono that while academic activities at Kono University are ongoing, construction of the university infrastructure will continue throughout 2026.
Response to Questions on the Tormabum Project
Responding to questions from journalists, the Chief Minister confirmed that the Tormabum project is ongoing. He revealed that the government has cultivated 3,500 hectares, while the private sector has cultivated 2,000 hectares.
