A delegation from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) on Monday, 12th October 2026, held a high-level engagement with the Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Hon. Kekura C. Vandy, on the prospects for improved healthcare financing for Sierra Leone.
The Chief of Staff of UNECA, Aboubakri Diaw, who led the delegation, extended appreciation to the Rt. Hon. Speaker for hosting his team. He underscored the critical importance of improving health financing and healthcare service delivery in the country and called on the Speaker and Parliament as a whole to help ensure that government provides adequate funding for the health sector.
He explained that UNECA is working to support the health sector by improving health financing mechanisms, strengthening data systems, and assisting the Ministries of Finance and Health to develop effective tools for managing health resources.
He further highlighted the need to improve coordination between health data systems, address challenges in the collection and use of health information, and strengthen regional cooperation on health-related matters.
According to the Chief of Staff of UNECA, the delegation sought audience with the Rt. Hon. Speaker because Parliament plays a pivotal role in representing citizens, enacting laws, approving the national budget, and exercising oversight over government activities. He noted that while government had committed to allocating 15% of the national budget to health in line with the Abuja Declaration, current allocation stands at around 6%.
He therefore asked the Rt. Hon. Speaker to share his views on the challenges affecting health financing, convey citizens’ concerns, and discuss how Parliament could work with government to ensure health-sector funding targets are achieved and that public resources have meaningful impact on healthcare delivery.
In his response, Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas welcomed the delegation and described the healthcare financing initiative as timely and laudable. He said the Sixth Parliament under his leadership, is in full vim and vigor to welcome such an initiative and assured that Parliament would engage line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on the matter. He reiterated that Parliament exists to represent the people and assured the delegation that the Sixth Parliament, known for progressive legislation, would do the needful once all relevant consultations are concluded.
In another development, Parliament football team secured a 4-2 victory over MBSSE in Inter-Ministerial Football tournament
The Parliament Football Team delivered an outstanding performance on Sunday, 18 October 2026, defeating the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) by four goals to two in the ongoing Inter-Ministerial Football Tournament.
The victory showcased Parliament’s attacking strength, tactical discipline, effective teamwork and determination, as the team demonstrated its ambition to make a strong impression in the competition
From the opening whistle, Parliament displayed remarkable energy, confidence and tactical awareness. The team dominated possession, executed accurate passes and maintained effective coordination across the pitch.
Within the opening five minutes, Parliament broke the deadlock with an impressive goal, following a well-constructed attacking move characterised by excellent passing combinations and clinical finishing. The early breakthrough gave the team a psychological advantage and set the tone for an exciting encounter.
Parliament continued to dictate the tempo of the game, exploiting spaces in the opposition’s defence through intelligent movement, quick transitions and well-coordinated attacking play. The team’s ability to convert scoring opportunities into goals proved decisive, as Parliament went into the half-time break with a commanding 4–0 lead.
