UNICEF Calls On Govt To Ring-Fence Child Protection Budget
By Abdul Rahman Bah
FREETOWN, 29 July 2026 –
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the Government of Sierra Leone to protect spending on children despite mounting fiscal pressures, warning that rising debt servicing obligations could undermine critical investments in health, education, nutrition, water, sanitation, and child protection.
The appeal was made during a high-level budget engagement held at the Ministry of Finance’s Conference Hall on George Street, where UNICEF Sierra Leone presented its latest budget brief to senior government officials and development partners.
The report highlights that Sierra Leone is expected to spend approximately SLE 8.6 billion on debt servicing in 2026, representing nearly 29 percent of total government expenditure and 39 percent of domestic revenue. According to UNICEF, these growing debt obligations could significantly reduce the fiscal space available for essential social services that directly affect the welfare of children.
UNICEF Representative, Mariko Kagoshima, stressed that protecting children must remain a national priority even during periods of economic difficulty.
“Investing in children is not only the right thing to do, it is an investment in Sierra Leone’s human capital, productivity and resilience,” she said.
The budget brief calls on the Government to ring-fence funding for key social sectors by preventing in-year budget reductions and ensuring that approved funds are released promptly to ministries, departments, agencies, and local councils responsible for delivering services.
UNICEF further recommends increased investment in primary healthcare, routine immunization, nutrition programmes, early childhood development, and child protection services to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable children across the country.
The organization also proposes the establishment of more sustainable financing mechanisms, including the creation of a child grant supported through the Mineral Wealth Fund, while strengthening domestic financing for water, sanitation, and hygiene programmes to reduce dependence on donor assistance.
Presenting the budget analysis, Tapiwa Kelvin Mutambirwa emphasized that protecting social sector expenditure is essential for Sierra Leone’s long-term development, arguing that investments in children generate lasting economic and social returns.
Responding to the presentation, Financial Secretary, Matthew Dingie, welcomed UNICEF’s recommendations, describing them as valuable contributions to the Government’s ongoing budget planning process.
He disclosed that approximately 2.2 percent of programme expenditure across government institutions is currently directed toward child-focused interventions, including the Free Quality School Education Programme and transportation support for schoolchildren.
Dingie acknowledged that global economic shocks continue to place pressure on public finances but assured participants that the Government remains committed to expanding investment in programmes benefiting children.
“We are working on a strategic plan to implement some of UNICEF’s recommendations, including expanding school feeding and child protection initiatives,” he said.
The engagement also included a validation workshop jointly organized by the Ministry of Finance and UNICEF to review social sector budget allocations and expenditure for children and persons with disabilities. Deputy Director of Budget, Dr. Ilara Mahdi, underscored the need for greater transparency, accountability, and efficient management of public resources to maximize the impact of government spending.
While commending Sierra Leone for maintaining macroeconomic stability and reducing fiscal deficits amid global economic challenges, UNICEF urged the Government to ensure that approved social sector funds are released on time and utilized transparently so that budgetary commitments translate into tangible improvements in the lives of children across the country.
