Country launch of the Africa food systems resilience report in Sierra Leone
On Thursday 10th July 2025, the Global Panel officially launched the Global Panels Latest Report, Building resilience and enhancing nutrition in Africa’s food systems, in Sierra Leone, alongside our partners Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella (Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in Sierra Leone, and Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security – PI-CREF), Dr Partrick Kormawa (Director of PI-CREF ) and Professor Abdulai Jalloh (the Chief Agriculturalist).
Professor Sandy Thomas gave a speech at the event (video here) where she thanked our partners in Sierra Leone, particularly the Government of Sierra Leone for its vision and leadership and the generosity of the Irish Government, through its Irish Aid programme
Professor Thomas described why:
- building a strong and resilient food system is vital for the future of Sierra Leone – and indeed every African nation;
- food systems, of which agricultural production is a key element, deliver the sustainable, healthy diets and nutrition that are vital to feed and nourish the population;
- universal access to sustainable, healthy diets is essential for the physical development of the entire population – and the productivity of the country’s workforce; it is also vital for the mental development of children, enabling them to reach their full potential; and
- agriculture and food systems more generally, are vital engines for creating jobs and promoting economic growth. This is recognised so clearly by the Government’s Feed Salone initiative.
She described how struck she had been throughout the Panel’s work with Sierra Leone, by the considerable opportunities now and in the future. Through the government’s flagship programme – Feed Salone has components that contribute to resilience building. However, these need to be strengthened and implemented consistently.
She added that the report charts a clear way forward, drawing on the considerable skills, innovation and entrepreneurship that is so evident in Sierra Leone. And most of all, those opportunities have the potential to be unlocked by the undoubted vision and leadership of the nation’s Government.