By Lemuella Tarawalllie
UNICEF Sierra Leone has officially launched its flagship publication, “Progress and Promise: Advancing Results for Every Child in Sierra Leone”.
The launching was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, while also hosting a farewell reception in honour of the outgoing Country Representative, Rudolf Schwenk, who has been in Sierra Leone for the last three years.
The twin event, held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, brought together government officials, development partners, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations, and media professionals and young people to reflect on over four decades of partnership in advancing the rights and wellbeing of children in Sierra Leone.
The publication highlights key achievements in child survival, education, protection, health, nutrition, and access to essential services across Sierra Leone. It also underscores the need for sustained investments in national systems, partnerships, and public financing to ensure continued progress for children.
Speaking at the launch, Rudolf Schwenk described the publication as a reflection of a shared journey built on strong national leadership and enduring collaboration.
“Progress and Promise captures a shared journey. While we celebrate the progress made, the promise remains to reach every child, especially the most vulnerable,” he said.
He noted that Sierra Leone had made significant progress over the years, including improvements in child survival rates, expanded access to essential services, and strengthened delivery systems in health, education, and protection.
However, he cautioned that major challenges remained with millions of children still affected by poverty, inequality, and limited access to services. He stressed that progress must now translate into stronger systems and long term sustainable investment.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, praised UNICEF for its longstanding partnership with Sierra Leone. She described the publication as more than a report, calling it a strategic blueprint aligned with national development priorities and the country’s human capital agenda.
Madam Barlay highlighted progress made in immunization, early childhood development, child protection laws, and service delivery systems. She reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring that “every child, regardless of location, has access to education, healthcare, clean water, and protection”.
She also called for renewed collective action to address child marriage, improve rural access to services, and strengthen health systems to sustain gains achieved over the past decades.
She commended Rudolf Schwenk’s leadership in strengthening data systems, supporting national development planning, and enhancing child focused policies and partnerships.
The UNICEF Communications and Advocacy Specialist, Suzanne Wooster, emphasized that the publication represented both achievements and a renewed commitment to the future of children in Sierra Leone.
The event concluded with a call for continued partnership among government, development actors, the private sector, academia, and young people to sustain progress and expand opportunities for every child.