President Koroma Launches Battle against Ebola

Freetown, Jul. 24, 015 (MOHS) – President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma has said that the resilient strides of the health workers contributed immensely in getting the country into zero Ebola cases. (Photo: President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma making his launching address)

Speaking at the launching ceremony of his six to nine months Post Ebola Recovery Priorities at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown, President Koroma lauded the health workers for being resilient and for ensuring the Ebola virus disease stays defeated and encouraged them to continue to be more vigilant, making Sierra Leone a total Ebola free country.

He reminded his audience about the Ebola tragedy during the outbreak in 2014, which he said brought about the death of over 3,000 compatriots, leaving the country’s economy in a shamble.

President Koroma applauded the progress made at the Hastings Police Training School Ebola Treatment Centre for registering the highest survivors and restore hope.

His priorities he said focuses on the health sector, social protection, education and the private sector with a view to restoring Sierra Leone to the path leading to the Agenda for Prosperity. Water and Energy, Economic diversification and job creation, President Koroma said are also key priorities within the mandate of his programme for economic growth, transparency and accountability.

Commenting on the pledges made for Sierra Leone, the President said $804.2 million was slated for the country, $1.7 billion for the Mano River Union (MRU) and a total of $3.4 billion for the region. He called on government functionaries and donor partners to give the recovery plan his desired support for its successful implementation.

The Chief of Staff, Office of the President, Saidu Conton Sesay in his presentation said a strong delivery approach is required if we are to achieve our goal as a nation.

He said after the nine months, lessons learnt would be articulated into positive action for the sustainability of the recovery plan, adding that coordinators would have to track progress with a view to solving problems encountered.

Mr. Conton Sesay told his audience that there would be smooth flow of information, coordination of resources and decentralization at district level, targeting the 14 districts.

He disclosed that plans are underway for a district tour to improve delivery in every part of the country and to dedicate the Recovery priorities for commitment and total support.

The World Bank Representative, Mr. Atto Brown described the launching of the President’s priorities as that which needs celebration noting that the Ebola outbreak was a threat to human lives and the development of the country.

The fight, he told his audience, is not yet over and that the path to recovery is yet a marathon race, and not going to be easy. The initiative he said needs vigorous start with strategy to restore water supply in Freetown, access to finance and giving the private sector a better footing. Mr. Brown reiterated that he is optimistic that by putting the private sector at the centre stage, making a positive change in the perception of corruption, bringing on board partnership with the government, civil society groups and health development partners the country would defeat Ebola.

Other speakers include DFID Representative, Mr. Marshal Elliot, Finance Minister, Dr. Kaifala Marah and the Minister of Information and Communications and Chairman for the occasion, Alhaji Alpha Kanu.

JAK/KK/MOHS/SLENA

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