By Abdul Rahman Bah
Speaking to journalists shortly after the Bill was passed into law, Mrs. Francess Nyuma, Executive Director of the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism, emphasized the critical role the new legislation will play in enhancing Sierra Leone’s ability to manage human security and peace. She explained that the Bill establishes a National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre, which will be tasked with providing timely alerts on emerging threats that could impact the safety and stability of the nation. According to Mrs. Nyuma, the centre will not only improve the accuracy and speed of early warnings, but also strengthen the technical management necessary to ensure the system’s overall effectiveness.
She expressed confidence that the legal framework created by this enactment will benefit both the government and the people by enabling more proactive responses to crisis situations, thereby mitigating their potential impact before they escalate. Mrs. Nyuma underscored the importance of the Early Warning Mechanism Centre in safeguarding the nation by identifying threats that could have harmful effects on the state and its citizens well in advance. She stressed that if relevant institutions take seriously the warnings issued by the centre, many of the challenges Sierra Leone has faced in recent years, such as the M-Pox outbreak and other disasters, could have been averted or significantly minimized.
In addition to discussing the Bill’s importance, Mrs. Nyuma expressed concern about the ongoing problem of indiscriminate waste disposal in Freetown. She highlighted that such environmental negligence not only undermines public health and safety, but also damages the country’s reputation as a destination for investment. She warned that no investor would want to establish business in a country where waste is carelessly discarded across communities, stressing the urgent need for improved waste management practices to foster a conducive environment for economic growth.
Mrs. Nyuma concluded by reiterating that the establishment of the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre represents a vital step forward for Sierra Leone’s security architecture. She called on all stakeholders to fully support the centre’s work and to act promptly on its warnings to ensure that the nation remains resilient in the face of future challenges.