By Konpap Sumner
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, (MoPED), Madam Kenyeh Barley on Thursday 8th January 2026 informed the people of Taiama, Kori Chiefdom, Moyamba District that climate change is affecting some communities in the country, recalled that she visited Taiama last year to distribute rice seedlings to people whose farms were destroyed by flooding and commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the suppor
The project, which includes cash transfer of a $100 equivalent in Leones to each of the beneficiaries and construction of three solar–powered boreholes in different communities, is been implemented by the government of Sierra Leone in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to improve the welfare, resilience and socio-economic recovery of persons of concerns and vulnerable host communities nationwide.
The ECOWAS-supported initiative, through the ECOWAS Humanitarian and Social Affairs Directorate, was formally launched in Taiama that saw the assembling of senior government officials, development partners and community stakeholders to reaffirm collective commitment to protecting vulnerable populations affected by displacement, climate shocks and socio-economic hardships.
The Minister made the statement at the Youth Center in Tiama during which she stressed that unlike in the past, this time the response is swift to build the resilience of the community to respond to disasters.
Madam Kenyeh Barlay also informed that ECOWAS is engaged in a lot of development projects in Sierra Leone and highlighted President Julius Maada Bio’s priorities as Head of ECOWAS as security for the region citing the ECOWAS Logistics Deport in Lungi that would be commissioned this year as well as deepening democracy and economic integration of the people to transform ECOWAS into an ECOWAS for the people.
The Minister further stated that the ECOWAS vision 2050 aligns with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan and its five big game changers of addressing environmental degradation and climate change among others.
Earlier, the chairman of the event and Deputy Minister of MoPED, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams welcomed all at the ceremony.
The speaker of Kori Chiefdom, who represented Paramount Chief Thomas Gbappi commended ECOWAS for the kind gesture asserted that the people appreciate whatever little would be given to them that would be put into good use and appealed to his subjects to comport themselves throughout the event.
In her overview of the project, the coordinator for Achievers Foundation, the implementing partners, Memunatu Lamina revealed that their main function is to helping the vulnerable with livelihood support and commended ECOWAS for the confidence reposed in the organization recalling that they have performed in the past, that they would continue to create impact revealing that ECOWAS is engaged in a lot of development projects including livelihood support in Sierra Leone citing as example the donation to flood disaster victims.
She further informed that the project includes the construction of three solar-powered boreholes in different districts, revealed that only 50% of the funds for the project has been received, that the beneficiaries have been verified and appealed to them to relocate in a case of flooding.
The Director-General of the National Disaster Management Agency, Mr. John Rogers underscored that flooding is affecting some communities in the country, reiterated that the beneficiaries have been registered and verified noting that Kori Chiefdom is the most affected.
The Deputy Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Dr. Susan Roberts acclaimed ECOWAS for the intervention, informed that her organization deals with the vulnerable, refugees and other disadvantaged people noting that the host communities were the most affected and appealed to the beneficiaries to get their national identity cards as well as make good use of the donation.
The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, Mr. John Azumah disclosed that ECOWAS approved the project, underscored that ECOWAS is people-centered, observed that flooding continues to pose challenges and risks in communities, called for urgent need for community support and respond to humanitarian crisis assuring that such support would continue.
According to Mr. John Azumah, ECOWAS is providing oversight for the successful implementation of the project, that ECOWAS is in solidarity with the flood victims, assured that it would leave no community behind especially in crisis periods and hoped that the project would create lasting impact in the community.
Highlights of the well-attended event were the cultural performance and distribution of the packages to beneficiaries while the vote of thanks was rendered by one of the beneficiaries who assured that the donations would be judiciously utilized for their intended purpose.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 12th January 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
