AYV News, September 3, 2024
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Defence has revealed plans to recruit five hundred health care workers for the Joint Medical Unit in 2025, provided the ministry receives the necessary financial support.
The announcement was made during the ongoing Bilateral Budget discussion at the Ministry of Finance.
Director General of the Ministry of Defence, Mohamed Brima Daboh, said the Ministry’s key deliverables for the upcoming financial year (FY) 2025, adding that these include the procurement of major equipment for Peace Support Operations (PSO) and National Defence, reconstruction of the Armed Forces Training Centre (AFTC) parade grounds, and the recruitment and training of 300 new personnel.
He said additionally, the Ministry intends to cultivate 1,000 acres of Boli Land at the Yoni farm site in Moyamba district and establish a new Defence Attaché station in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Reflecting on the Ministry’s performance in FY 2023, Daboh reported that four out of six key targets were achieved. These included the training of 250 specialist personnel, the establishment of the Armed Forces Construction Corporation, and the cultivation of 250 acres of rice at Mano Daseh in Moyamba District. However, the Ministry faced challenges in resuming work at Kambia Barracks and procuring major equipment for PSO.
For Financial Year 2024, three out of five deliverables were successfully completed, including the operationalization of the Armed Forces Construction Company and the cultivation of 350 acres of Boli land at Mano Daseh. Unfortunately, recruitment and training of 300 personnel were hindered due to a lack of resources.
Daboh also outlined the Ministry’s challenges, citing low budget allocations, delays in accessing funds, and rising fuel and rice prices, which have impacted budget execution.
In 2023, the Ministry generated NLe2.1 million in revenue and projects NLe3.09 million for 2025. However, they are requesting a budget estimate of NLe317.6 million for FY 2025 to meet their strategic goals and enhance the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces.
