On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Parliament of Sierra Leone debated and unanimously ratified, with some amendments, the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre Act 2025. The new law paves the way for the establishment of a national centre dedicated to monitoring and responding to threats affecting peace, human security, and disaster preparedness across the country.
Presenting the Bill, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, emphasized the centre’s role in providing early alerts and generating data for effective disaster and crisis management. She stated that the initiative would bolster the nation’s ability to respond proactively to threats and foster long-term peace and stability.
“This centre will not only provide timely warnings but also support evidence-based responses to crises. It is a key step toward protecting the lives and livelihoods of our people,” Minister Barlay said.
Chairman of the Committee on Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Musa Fofanah of Kono District, endorsed the Bill, describing it as timely and crucial for disaster risk reduction. He commended the Ministry’s efforts and urged Parliament to speedily enact the law.
Also supporting the Bill, Deputy Opposition Whip Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie of Bombali District stressed that the legislation is non-political and designed to benefit all Sierra Leoneans. She, however, encouraged further scrutiny of some clauses to ensure the Act is as inclusive and impactful as possible.
Hon. Joseph Williams Lamin of Bo District echoed the call for bipartisan support, urging the soon-to-be-appointed Executive Director of the Centre to remain focused and dedicated. Meanwhile, Hon. Mariama Bangura of Western Urban District raised concerns about duplicating institutional roles and advocated for better support to existing agencies like the Office of National Security and the National Disaster Management Agency.
Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma, supported the Bill but called for revisions to the composition of the Centre’s board. He pushed for stronger representation of women in leadership roles and cautioned against “copy-and-paste” legislation that doesn’t reflect local realities.
Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, wrapped up the debate by thanking the opposition for its support. He emphasized the Centre’s relevance in preventing future crises, citing past challenges like the Mpox outbreak and regional disputes in Yenga as instances where early intervention could have made a difference.
Following a thorough debate and committee review, the Bill passed all legislative stages and is now poised to be implemented as part of Sierra Leone’s national framework for security and disaster management.
By Feima Sesay
