Madam Mariama Khai Fornah, CEO and Founder of Moving Women for Sustainable Development – Sierra Leone (MoWSuD-SL), recently represented Sierra Leone at a high-level regional workshop in Banjul, The Gambia, focused on enhancing epidemic preparedness, response, and recovery across West Africa.
The event brought together key representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), government institutions, and development partners from across the region to foster stronger collaboration and build resilient, community-centered health systems.
Representing Sierra Leone’s civil society, Madam Fornah joined Mr. Harold Thomas, Risk Communication Lead and Health Education Programme Manager at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, in contributing to discussions on community engagement, risk communication, and gender inclusion in epidemic preparedness and response and other members from Sierra Leone.
In her remarks, Madam Fornah underscored the crucial role of women-led organizations in health resilience and crisis response, emphasizing that empowering women and youth at the grassroots level is key to achieving sustainable, inclusive health systems.
“Preparedness begins at the community level. When local voices—especially women’s voices—are included in planning and response, we not only save lives but also strengthen trust and accountability,” she noted.
The workshop provided a platform for sharing experiences, fostering regional partnerships, and advancing strategies to better manage public health emergencies across West Africa.
Looking ahead, MoWSuD-SL is committed to working closely with Sierra Leone’s health sector to address pressing health challenges in underserved communities. Through advocacy, innovation, and partnership, the organization continues to promote community-driven solutions for better health and sustainable development.
Together, we can build a healthier, safer, and more resilient West Africa.
