AYV News, July 24, 2025
Over 1,200 women and youth participated in a large-scale Health Walk held on Monday in Makeni City, emphasizing the theme “Health is Wealth.”
The event, organised by Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr in collaboration with the Inter-Group BombaliNetwork (a coalition of over 10 women’s groups) and female councillors from Makeni City and Bombali District, aimed to promote healthier lifestyles and address critical public health issues.
Participants walked, jogged, and danced from NP to WusumField, engaging with messages focused on preventative health measures. Key among these were the importance of regular exercise and reducing salt and bouillon cube intake to mitigate the risk of hypertension. Speakers also highlighted the need to reduce sugar consumption to lower the risk of developing diabetes.
A significant portion of the event was dedicated to addressing the growing concern of “Kush”, a dangerous illicit drug. Successive speakers urged the government to intensify efforts to curb the supply of Kush and other illegal drugs circulating freely within the country, citing their devastating impact on the nation’s youth.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr underscored the collaborative spirit of the event, stating, “Yesterday’s walk demonstrated excellent collaboration between women in the interest of Sierra Leone’s development. Development of our nation requires a healthy population.” She concluded, describing the event as “an amazing event with Women Supporting Women and Hope ToReality.”
