GoSL Launches National Implementation Plan for the Global Compact on, Migration.

The Government of Sierra Leone GoSL, through the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), in collaboration with the United Nations Network on Migration and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has officially launched the National Implementation Plan (NIP) of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) alongside the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration.

The launching ceremony which was held at the Country Lodge Hotel, Hill Station, Freetown, brought together senior government officials, development partners, traditional leaders, civil society representatives, and other key stakeholders.

The NIP serves as a comprehensive roadmap to promote safe, dignified, and well-managed migration while aligning migration governance with national development priorities.

In his opening remarks, Development Secretary Mr. Usman C. Conteh reaffirmed MoPED’s commitment to collaborating with IOM and other partners to strengthen migration governance, recognizing its vital role in Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development.

Chairing the event, Dr. Robert Mokowa, Director of Performance Management at MoPED, described the launch as a “stepping stone toward reaffirming our collective resolve to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration.”

He emphasized that the NIP represents a home-grown blueprint born of extensive consultations across Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, and Development Partners.

Dr. Mokowa praised IOM for its sustained partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, aligning governance structures and deepening collaboration to advance migration management and human security.

Paramount Chief Alimamy Kanneh underscored the importance of the document in safeguarding the rights and dignity of Sierra Leoneans abroad.

“As traditional leaders and custodians of culture, we pledge our sacred staffs and our voices to this cause,” he declared, vowing to champion civic education on safe migration within their communities.

Supporting this commitment, Mr. Abdul Koroma from the Makeni City Council assured that local authorities would align their administrative frameworks with the national strategy to combat irregular migration through education and awareness campaigns.

UN Resident Coordinator, Madam Seraphine Wakana, described the NIP as “a roadmap of actionable strategies and a testament to Sierra Leone’s global partnership in strengthening migration governance.”

She emphasized that the document aligns closely with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030), reinforcing the UN’s commitment to inclusive development, social protection, and safe migration.

“The UN Network on Migration will continue to align expertise and resources to strengthen coordination mechanisms for safe, orderly, and regular migration,” she affirmed

Mr. Samer Salib, representing the Mayors Migration Council, pledged to enhance local governance capacities and ensure sustained coordination between global and local actors in managing migration pathways.

Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Mr. Patrick M. Gibrilla, commended the UN and IOM for their partnership and encouraged stronger collaboration with local development agencies, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders to address migration challenges holistically.

Her Worship Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr highlighted the urban dimensions of migration, noting that migration should be addressed as both an international and sub-national issue, particularly in rapidly growing cities like Freetown where population pressures and unsafe migration remain pressing concerns.

A joint presentation by Ms. Pauline Macharia, Officer-in-Charge of IOM Sierra Leone, and Mr. Gabriel Dumbuya, Head of the Population Unit at MoPED, outlined the strategic approach of the NIP and its alignment with the country’s development agenda. They provided a detailed analysis of the challenges of irregular migration and proposed action points to strengthen governance, coordination, and policy implementation.

The official launch was facilitated by Ms. Sylvia Etta, IOM Regional Director for West and Central Africa, and AIG (Rtd.) Morie Lengor Esq., Minister of Internal Affairs.

Delivering the Keynote address on behalf of the Government, Minister Lengor described the event as “a transformative milestone in reshaping Sierra Leone’s approach to human mobility.”

“The launch of the National Implementation Plan (NIP) of the Global Compact on Migration, together with the National Coordination Mechanism and the IOM Sierra Leone Country Strategy, marks a pivotal moment in our national development journey,” he stated.

The Minister extended gratitude to the UN Network on Migration, IOM, traditional authorities, civil society, academia, the private sector, and the migrant community for their contributions to the NIP’s development.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to integrating the NIP into national priorities through policy coherence and inter-institutional collaboration.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Sylvia Etta commended the Government of Sierra Leone and IOM for their resilience and partnership, stressing the importance of continuous follow-up and collaboration.

She called for collective efforts to protect the rights of migrants and create pathways for youth empowerment.

The launch of Sierra Leone’s National Implementation Plan for the Global Compact on Migration represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward effective migration governance, inclusive development, and the protection of human dignity.

John Farfira Kamara

SLENA Correspondent, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development

Email: johnfarfirakamara@gmail.com | Tel: +232 79 185 532