Alcohol policy development in Sierra Leone: An assessment of the role of civil society

  • boi-Jeneh Jalloh Sierra Leone Alcohol Policy Alliance
  • Habib Taigore Kamara Sierra Leone Alcohol Policy Alliance
  • Alhassan Jalloh
  • Issah Ali West African Alcohol Policy Alliance
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.429
Keywords: alcohol policy, lobby and advocacy, alcohol-related harm, civil society-government collaboration, stakeholder consultation

Abstract

Objective: To assess the value addition of  civil society collaboration with Government in the development of Sierra Leone’s National Alcohol Policy (NAP).

 

Policy Development Process: We reviewed the entire process of lobby, advocacy, and support for the development of the NAP from 2015 when the Siera Leone Alcohol Policy Alliance (SLAPA) was formed to the launch of the NAP in 2023. It also assesses the level of collaboration between FoRUT, SLAPA and Ministry of Health of Health and Sanitation (MoHS). The MoHS coordinated the policy formulation process with substantive technical support from civil society.      

 

Results: The quality of the NAP was rated high as it reflected appropriate policy areas and interventions from the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol,  the WHO SAFER initiative, and the Global Action Plan for Alcohol Control (202-2030). The NAP is a solid reference material for the development of a new alcohol bill.  MoHS recognized FoRUT and SLAPA as the national champions for alcohol control in the country. FoRUT, directly and through SLAPA influenced the process of developing the NAP and its quality through advocacy, collaboration and technical and financial support.

 

Conclusions: The development of the NAP in Sierra Leone truly reflects civil society-government collaboration, built on mutual trust and a common health and development agenda. Connecting national level lobby and advocacy with regional global advocacy actions to prioritize, influence, support, and monitor the alcohol control agenda is a critical catalyst for civil society to advancing the development of NAPs.

Author Biographies

boi-Jeneh Jalloh, Sierra Leone Alcohol Policy Alliance

Boi-Jeneh Jalloh is the Head of Secretariat of Sierra Leone Alcohol Policy Alliance and member of the West African Alcohol Policy Alliance. She served as the national facilitator for the development of Sierra Leone's National Alcohol Policy. She is also the Executive Director of Foundation for Rural and Urban Transformation (FoRUT), a national civil society organiation that empowers citizens to fight poverty, corruption, injustice and alcohol and drug abuse, through social mobilization, advocacy, capacity building, and provision of services for sustainable development. 

Habib Taigore Kamara, Sierra Leone Alcohol Policy Alliance

Habib Taigore Kamara is the National Chairperson of the Sierra Leone Alcohol Policy Alliance. He served as co chair of the Alcohol Control Technical Working Group of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. He is the co founder and Executive Director of Social Linkages for Youth Development and Child Link, a national civil society organization that advocates for children and youth rights and welfare. 

Alhassan Jalloh

Alhassan Jalloh is the National Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Alcohol Policy Alliance. He served as the Secretary to the Alcohol Control Technial Working Group of the Ministry of Health and sanitation. He is also the Head of Programme of Foundation for Rural and Urban Transformation (FoRUT), a national civil society organization that  empowers citizens to fight poverty, corruption, injustice and alcohol and drug abuse, through social mobilization, advocacy, capacity building, and provision of services for sustainable development.

Issah Ali, West African Alcohol Policy Alliance

Issah Ali is Executive Director of  Vision for Alternative Development, Ghana (VALD), and is Head of the Secretariat of West African Alcohol Policy Alliance (WAAPA) and member of the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance.  He has served on the board of the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) as Chairman from 2010-2012.

Published
2024-05-15
How to Cite
Jalloh, boi-J., Kamara, H. T., Jalloh, A., & Ali, I. (2024). Alcohol policy development in Sierra Leone: An assessment of the role of civil society . International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 12(S1), S11–S17. https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.429
Issue
Vol. 12 No. S1 (2024): Special Issue Part 1: Alcohol Prevention Research and Policy Development in LMICs
Section
Special Issue: Alcohol Prevention Research and Policy Development in LMICs

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