Freetown: The national commemoration of World Toilet Day in Moyamba District on November 19, 2025, served as the platform for the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to declare five chiefdoms Open Defecation Free (ODF), marking a key achievement for public health.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the recognized chiefdoms are Kangbora, Imperri, Nongoba Bullom, Makpele, and Malen. This achievement marks considerable progress in the country's broader effort to eliminate open defecation and improve sanitation access for all citizens.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Sao Isata-Kpato Hannah Macarthy, highlighted the government's commitment, noting that the establishment of a standalone ministry in 2023 reflects President Julius Maada Bio's political will to prioritize water and sanitation. She emphasized the profound impact of sanitation on women and girls, linking safe and private facilities directly to their protection, dignity, and overall well-being. Minister Macarthy also stressed that continued progress depends on strong, multi-sectoral collaboration between government bodies, local councils, communities, and development partners.
Echoing the minister's sentiments, Raymond S. Komba, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry, reaffirmed that sanitation is a fundamental human right, essential for dignity and health. He detailed advances in community-led and market-based sanitation initiatives but also issued a caution regarding climate-related challenges. He noted that threats like flooding and changing rainfall patterns increasingly endanger sanitation infrastructure and require resilient solutions.
From the development partners, UNICEF Deputy Representative Alpha Ibrahima Ciss© congratulated the newly certified chiefdoms and the dedicated local leaders who made it possible. He shared encouraging data, revealing that 21 chiefdoms across five districts have now achieved ODF status, with nine more nearing the same goal. However, Ciss© pointed to significant remaining gaps, citing a 2022 survey which found that only three in ten Sierra Leoneans have access to basic sanitation, and a mere 13% benefit from safely managed services. He reiterated that ending open defecation is critical to reducing preventable diseases like cholera and diarrhea, which are major causes of child mortality, and pledged UNICEF's ongoing support for sustainable solutions.
The event also featured a call to action from traditional leadership. Chief Johannes H. Brima urged communities to maintain their new status by fully adopting safe sanitation practices, emphasizing that lasting behavioral change is the key to sustaining this achievement. The commemoration ultimately underscored Sierra Leone's renewed drive toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, with officials reaffirming their commitment to policy reform, community ownership, and climate-resilient infrastructure. The Ministry extended its deep appreciation to key partners, including UNICEF and the Embassy of Ireland, for their sustained support of national sanitation initiatives.