On March 24th, 2026, Kenema District proudly hosted the official launch of the One Health Chiefdom Committee at the Old District Council Hall on Maxwell Kobe Street. The program began with the arrival of participants and guests, followed by silent opening prayers that set a solemn and unifying tone. The ceremony was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, district officials, youth and women’s groups, and representatives from health, agriculture, environment, and security sectors. Their presence reflected the collaborative spirit of One Health, which unites human, animal, and environmental health under one framework.
The program was moderated by Mr. Ibrahim Conteh, Surveillance Lead at the Kenema District Health Management Team (DHMT). In his opening words, he welcomed everyone warmly and emphasized the importance of vigilance and community participation in health surveillance.
Madam Rachel Sandi, Deputy Coordinator of the One Health Secretariat, gave an inspiring overview of the One Health approach in Sierra Leone. She thanked Dr. Sejdro Kataye for the support from WAHO and extended warm regards to their leadership. She explained that the Chiefdom Committee is the community’s shield, ensuring that surveillance, data sharing, and early warning systems are rooted in local realities. She emphasized that the paramount chief serves as chairperson of the committee, meaning traditional authority will lead and anchor One Health at the community level. Reflecting on lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak of 2014–2015, she reminded participants that Sierra Leone became committed to the Global Health Security Agenda and the International Health Regulations in 2015. She noted that the One Health Platform was officially launched on 23rd June 2017 by then Vice President Victor Bockarie Foh, establishing a national structure for implementation. She highlighted the One Health Governance Manual and Strategic Plan, stressing that district health offices provide technical support and coordination, while chiefdom committees serve as the frontline of defense.
Statements were then delivered by representatives of MDAs, chiefdom authorities, and the district medical officer. Mr. Mohamed Koroma, representing the DMO, conveyed warm regards from Dr. Donald Grant and emphasized that the committee symbolizes partnership and resilience. The district agriculture representative reaffirmed the ministry's readiness to collaborate, highlighting livestock surveillance as critical to human health. The representative of the Paramount Chief pledged the support of traditional leadership, stressing that chiefdoms are the frontline of health surveillance. Madam Josephine, representing the Office of National Security, emphasized that health security is national security and pledged ONS’s continued support.
Dr. Sejdro Kataye, representing ECOWAS RCSDC and WAHO, then delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the WAHO Director General. He expressed his pleasure at being in Sierra Leone and extended warm regards from WAHO’s leadership. He reminded participants that ECOWAS has long supported Sierra Leone through the National Public Health Agency and the One Health Strategy and that this support is made possible through the ECOWAS Community Fund, donor contributions, and regional resources. He emphasized that Sierra Leone has shown strong commitment to the One Health approach, and the launch of the Chiefdom Committee in Kenema is a clear example of how communities can take ownership of surveillance and response. He concluded by reaffirming WAHO’s commitment to continue supporting Sierra Leone in strengthening its health systems and building resilience against outbreaks.
Madam Sandi invited Dr. James Squire, Director of Surveillance and Epidemiology at the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), to officially launch the ceremony. Dr. Squire welcomed attendees, extended greetings from NPHA leadership, and emphasized that the backbone of community-based surveillance is the Chiefdom One Health Committee. He reminded participants that 70% of infectious diseases originate from animals and stressed the importance of vigilance and collaboration. He concluded by urging communities to report on time, act on time, and protect themselves. He then formally passed the position to the representative of the Paramount Chief of Blama Small Bo, Nongowa Chiefdom. The Chiefdom Speaker, on behalf of the Paramount Chief, declared the One Health Chiefdom Committee launched, prompting a standing ovation.
Following the launch, Mr. Conteh, together with Mr. Umaru Kpaka, introduced the committee members, whose diverse representation ensures inclusivity across sectors. Mr. Melvin Conteh, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, presented on the roles and responsibilities of the committee, stressing prevention, detection, and early reporting. He emphasized governance, sustainability, and importantly, gender inclusion. He explained that women and men must be equally represented in decision-making, surveillance, and response, noting that women are often the first to observe unusual events in households and communities.
After lunch, the RCCE Focal at DHMT Kenema presented on risk communication, stressing the importance of culturally appropriate messages delivered through trusted voices. The Surveillance Focal Person then explained their daily roles and how they interact with District One Health members in collecting and sharing data, ensuring rapid response during suspected cases or outbreaks.
Madam Rachel Sandi
In her closing remarks, Madam Rachel Sandi expressed deep gratitude to all stakeholders for their active participation throughout the day. She reflected on the diverse roles of the committee members, noting that their representation, from traditional leaders and ministerial officers to youth and women’s groups, demonstrates the strength of the One Health approach. She assured everyone that the Secretariat would carefully look into the questions and concerns raised during the interactive discussions, emphasizing that feedback from the community is vital for shaping effective surveillance and response systems. She thanked WAHO for their continued support, extended appreciation to the Ministry of Health and NPHA, and expressed hope that similar support will be extended to other districts. She emphasized that the launch is not just symbolic but a practical step toward ensuring One Health is implemented at every level. She emphasized that the launch of the Chiefdom Committee is a practical step toward resilience, inclusivity, and stronger surveillance at the community level. She concluded by noting the importance of such meetings, explaining that gatherings like this reaffirm Sierra Leone’s commitment to protecting its people from outbreaks and emergencies. She ended with a hopeful message: “This is the beginning of a stronger, more collaborative effort. With the Chiefdom Committee now launched, surveillance, reporting, and response will be strengthened at the community level. Together, we can build resilience, protect livelihoods, and safeguard Sierra Leone’s future.”
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