The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with UNICEF, organised a validation workshop on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, on social sector budget allocations and execution for children and persons with disabilities. The workshop, held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall on George Street, Freetown, sought to improve budget transparency and accountability while ensuring that resources allocated to children and persons with disabilities are effectively utilised to enhance their well-being.
In her opening remarks, the Deputy Director of Budget at the Ministry of Finance and Chairperson of the workshop, Dr Ilara Mahdi, highlighted the importance of the validation exercise in improving resource allocation and the efficiency of service delivery for children and persons with disabilities. She noted that strengthening investment in key areas such as nutrition, healthcare, education, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities is critical to improving the welfare and development of vulnerable groups.
The UNICEF Representative, Mariko Kagoshima, commended the Government of Sierra Leone for its continued efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability, reduce fiscal deficits, and strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation despite the challenging global economic environment.
She also recognised the Government’s resilience in sustaining essential services for children amid rising global fuel and commodity prices, noting that debt servicing continues to account for a significant share of public resources. Madam Kagoshima called for sustained investment in immunisation, nutrition, school WASH, social protection, and school management, while urging authorities to ensure that allocated resources are released on time and utilised transparently and as planned.
In his statement, Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie thanked UNICEF for its support in developing the budget briefs, noting that they would serve as important guides for shaping budget policies and programmes that respond to children and improve their overall well-being.
He explained that the Ministry is currently in the process of starting the preparation of the 2027 budget and is paying close attention to data and statistics on children, including school attendance. He assured partners that the recommendations from the briefs would be carefully considered and implemented in phases under the country’s Medium-Term Budgeting framework.
Mr Dingie further noted that approximately 2.2 percent of the budget allocation for programmes across government agencies is directed towards children-related interventions, including the Free Quality School Education programme and transportation.
He added that the IMF Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme places strong emphasis on social spending as a benchmark, with the country’s budget execution assessed every six months, particularly with looming global economic shocks and rising fuel prices.
The workshop climaxed with a PowerPoint presentation of the budget briefs, followed by questions, clarifications, and responses from participants. The Ministry of Finance reaffirmed its commitment to continued engagement with UNICEF and other stakeholders to address the issues and recommendations raised during the validation process and finalise the briefs, with the broader goal of strengthening social sector investments and improving outcomes for children and persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone.
Credit – MOF Communications
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 27th July 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
