By Lemuella Tarawalllie
UNICEF Sierra Leone has officially launched its flagship publication Progress and Promise: Advancing Results for Every Child in Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, while also hosting a farewell reception in honour of outgoing Country Representative Rudolf Schwenk, who has served as Country Representative for UNICEF Sierra Leone for three years.
The twin event, held last week at the New Brookfields Hotel, brought together government officials, development partners, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations, media professionals, and young people to reflect on over four decades of partnership in advancing the rights and wellbeing of children in Sierra Leone.
The publication highlights key achievements in child survival, education, protection, health, nutrition, and access to essential services across Sierra Leone. It also underscores the need for sustained investment in national systems, partnerships, and public financing to ensure continued progress for children.
Speaking at the launch, Rudolf Schwenk described the publication as a reflection of a shared journey built on strong national leadership and enduring collaboration.
“Progress and Promise captures a shared journey. While we celebrate the progress made, the promise remains to reach every child, especially the most vulnerable,” he said.
He noted that Sierra Leone has made significant progress over the years, including improvements in child survival rates, expanded access to essential services, and strengthened delivery systems in health, education, and protection.
However, he cautioned that major challenges remain, with millions of children still affected by poverty, inequality, and limited access to services. He stressed that progress must now translate into stronger systems and long-term sustainable investment.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, praised UNICEF for its longstanding partnership with Sierra Leone.
She described the publication as more than a report, calling it a strategic blueprint aligned with national development priorities and the country’s human capital agenda.
Madam Barlay highlighted progress made in immunisation, early childhood development, child protection laws, and service delivery systems. She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of location, has access to education, healthcare, clean water, and protection.
She also called for renewed collective action to address child marriage, improve rural access to services, and strengthen health systems to sustain gains achieved over the past decades.
She commended Rudolf Schwenk’s leadership in strengthening data systems, supporting national development planning, and enhancing child-focused policies and partnerships.
His tenure was described as instrumental in deepening collaboration between UNICEF and government institutions, particularly in advancing evidence-based planning and improving accountability systems in public service delivery.
UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Government of Sierra Leone and partners to ensure that every child survives, learns, and thrives.
UNICEF Communications and Advocacy Specialist Suzanne Wooster emphasised that the publication represents both achievements and a renewed commitment to the future of children in Sierra Leone.
The event concluded with a call for continued partnership among government, development actors, the private sector, academia, and young people to sustain progress and expand opportunities for every child.
