Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority pledges support for national development agenda

The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has reaffirmed its commitment to the government’s ‘Big Five Game Changers’ agenda. During a presentation of its 2027 budget priorities in Freetown, Director of Finance Andrew Tamba Kpulun stated that the authority’s five-year strategic plan aligns with the National Development Plan and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation’s strategic goals.

Key priorities for the SLPHA include upgrading port infrastructure, enhancing workforce capacity, and supporting the ‘Feed Salone’ initiative by facilitating the movement of agricultural inputs and food commodities through the Port of Freetown. The authority also emphasized its role in job creation, noting it has already recruited over 300 youth into permanent service with plans to expand this number in the coming fiscal year.

Additionally, the SLPHA highlighted its progress in women’s empowerment, reporting that it has met the government’s 30% quota for women’s employment within the authority. Stakeholders at the budget discussion encouraged the SLPHA to maintain these efforts while focusing on preventing port congestion.