Occasion Resort, Lakka, Western Urban Rural, Sierra Leone January 27–29, 2026
The National Public Health Agency (NPHA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and with support from CORUS International, convened its 2026 Annual Work Plan (AWP) Validation Workshop at the Occasion Resort in Lakka.
The three‑day event brought together technical experts, and representatives from CORUS International to validate and harmonize NPHA’s strategic roadmap for the year ahead. The Annual Work Plan serves as a cornerstone of NPHA’s operational planning, ensuring alignment of national priorities, partner commitments, and evidence‑based interventions. The validation process strengthens coherence across directorates, promotes financial transparency, and reinforces multi‑sectoral collaboration, key pillars in NPHA’s mandate to safeguard the health and well‑being of Sierra Leoneans.
Day One: Opening and Partner Engagement
The workshop commenced with a moment of reflection and prayer, setting a tone of unity and shared responsibility. In her opening remarks, the Director of Policy, Planning, and Research welcomed participants and underscored the critical role of the AWP in driving institutional accountability, operational efficiency, and health system resilience.
Dr. Amos Boima, Manager of Policy and Planning, presented the workshop’s objectives and methodology, outlining a structured approach to validation that emphasized harmonization of budgeting assumptions, alignment with national health strategies, identification of funding gaps, and strengthening of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
The first day was chaired by Dr. James Squire, Director of Surveillance and Epidemiology at NPHA, who welcomed participants and reflected on the importance of the workshop. He emphasized that the Annual Work Plan is not simply a planning document, but the Agency’s guiding framework—a compass for delivering credible, coordinated, and measurable public health interventions. For Sierra Leone, he noted, the AWP represents the Agency’s collective commitment to safeguarding lives, strengthening systems, and ensuring accountability to both government and partners.
Dr. Squire went further to stress that every Directorate and Unit under NPHA has a vital role to play in the smooth functioning of the Agency. He listed the Technical Directorates under the Office of the Executive Director: Surveillance and Epidemiology, with five programs (Surveillance and Applied Epidemiology, Border Health and Points of Entry, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, Psychosocial Support, and Workforce Development); the Biomedical Directorate, with four programs (Public Health Laboratories, Case Management, Infection Prevention and Control, and Risk Communication and Community Engagement); and the Directorate of Policy, Planning and Research, which oversees Monitoring and Evaluation, Biostatistics, and Health Informatics.
He explained that under the Office of the Deputy Executive Director fall Administration and Corporate Affairs, including the Directorates of Human Resources and Administration, Information and Communication Technology, and Finance and Logistics (with programs in Internal Audit, Finance, Procurement, and Logistics). Beyond these technical directorates, Dr. Squire highlighted the importance of other Units under the Office of the Executive Director, including Public Relations, the One Health Secretariat, Legal Affairs, the Gender Desk, the Strategic Advisor, Partner Coordination and Resource Mobilisation, and Compliance and Audit. He reiterated that each of these Directorates, Programs, and Units contributes uniquely to NPHA’s mission.
“The Annual Work Plan,” Dr. Squire concluded, “is the collective voice of NPHA. It is the instrument through which we demonstrate our relevance, credibility, and impact to Sierra Leoneans and to our partners. Every Directorate and Unit must see themselves reflected in this plan, because together we form the backbone of public health in Sierra Leone.”
The presence of CORUS International underscored the importance of partnership in advancing Sierra Leone’s health agenda. Representing CORUS were Mr. David Fifi Manuel, Senior Technical Advisor based in Washington D.C., and Mr. Mohamed S. T. Kamara, Country Representative for Sierra Leone.
In his statement, Mr. Manuel reflected on CORUS International’s longstanding collaboration with Sierra Leone. He recalled being part of the CORUS team that attended the Ministry of Health’s National Health Summit at the Freetown International Conference Center in Aberdeen, noting that such engagements continue to deepen collaboration with NPHA and the Ministry of Education. He explained that CORUS International works in Sierra Leone to strengthen health systems and community resilience through evidence‑based interventions. Its programs include support for epidemic preparedness and response, maternal and child health, workforce development, and digital health transformation. CORUS also partners with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) to monitor workforce and payroll systems, particularly in projects supporting girls’ education under faith‑based health initiatives.
Mr. Manuel emphasized the importance of partnerships through the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) to strengthen human resources and accountability. He highlighted lessons from past outbreak responses, noting that during the Mpox outbreak in Pujehun and Kailahun, Sierra Leone benefitted from proven approaches and community engagement strategies. He commended the country’s progress in COVID‑19 vaccination, which reached 71% coverage as of December 2022, and stressed the need to address critical gaps in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through antibody monitoring. He also underscored the relevance of the One Health Project, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks. He concluded by urging participants to value the trust built over years of collaboration and expressed optimism that the workshop would advance national priorities and strengthen Sierra Leone’s health system.
Following the partner engagement, Alhaji Dr. Mohammed Alex Vandi, Deputy Executive Director of NPHA, delivered the keynote opening statement. Dr. Vandi warmly welcomed all attendees and conveyed apologies on behalf of the Executive Director, Professor Foday Sahr, who was unable to attend due to competing engagements. He expressed appreciation to CORUS International for sponsoring this year’s AWP activity and reaffirmed the growing strength of the partnership.
Dr. Vandi reminded all Directorates and Units that every event and activity under NPHA must be properly organized and planned, with the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit playing a central role in ensuring accountability. He urged staff to reflect on both achievements and challenges, cautioning against including activities in work plans that cannot realistically be implemented. He emphasized that programs should earmark partners likely to support specific activities, and that units must prioritize initiatives that are achievable, measurable, and of utmost importance. In closing, Dr. Vandi declared: “NPHA seeks to have a credible Annual Work Plan that will serve as the guiding framework, the Bible of our institution. Standing in the shoes of the Executive Director, I now declare this workshop officially open.”
Day Two: Refinement and Consensus
The second day was moderated by Miss Rachael A. Kuyembeh, Public Relations Coordinator at NPHA, who opened the session with reflections on the importance of collective ownership and accountability. She emphasized that the validation process was not only about refining documents but also about strengthening unity across directorates and ensuring that every voice contributes to shaping NPHA’s strategic direction.
Day Two focused on polishing and adjusting the draft AWP. Each Directorate, Program, and Unit presented their respective Annual Work Plans, followed by open discussions with all participants. These plenary exchanges allowed for collective corrections, inputs, and alignment, ensuring that the final document reflected both technical rigor and institutional consensus. Departments revisited their submissions, reiterating Dr. Vandi’s guidance to prioritize key and achievable activities aligned with NPHA’s Strategic Plan. After adjustments, presentations continued throughout the day, with participants actively engaging in dialogue and offering constructive feedback.
Day Three: Finalization, Partner Reflection, and Closing
The third day was also moderated by Miss Rachael A. Kuyembeh, who again opened the session with reflections on unity and accountability. She reminded participants that the validation process was about building consensus and ensuring that every Directorate and Unit contributes meaningfully to NPHA’s strategic direction.
Presentations of AWPs by Directorates and Units continued into Day Three, with discussions held after each presentation to refine activities, budgets, and indicators. This participatory process ensured that every program was reviewed in detail and that the final plan represented the collective voice of NPHA.
At the latter part of Day Three, CORUS International delivered its reflection statement. Mr. Mohamed S. T. Kamara commended NPHA for the structured and participatory nature of the workshop, noting that the Annual Work Plan is a vital instrument for ensuring that partner support translates into measurable impact. He encouraged directorates to remain focused on achievable targets, stressing that credibility comes from delivering on commitments.
Mr. David Fifi Manuel emphasized the importance of coordination in training activities. He observed that nearly every unit had included training components in their AWP and cautioned against duplication. He recommended that NPHA establish a consolidated database to track training sessions, participants, and outcomes, thereby maximizing efficiency and avoiding overlap. He expressed appreciation for being part of the workshop and reaffirmed CORUS’s commitment to strengthening bilateral coordination with NPHA.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Kanu, Manager of Surveillance and Epidemiology, who thanked all participants for their dedication and especially acknowledged CORUS International for their continued partnership. He encouraged Directorates, Programs, and Units to adhere to the submission timeline set by Dr. Boima, underscoring that timely delivery would ensure smooth integration into NPHA’s operational framework.
Dr. Kanu remarked that the workshop had demonstrated the collective strength of NPHA and its partners. By aligning priorities and refining plans, he said, the Agency had taken a decisive step toward safeguarding the health of Sierra Leoneans.
Public Relations Unit
National Public Health Agency- Sierra Leone