Sierra Leon: MPs engage stakeholders on Kush

On Monday 18 March 2024 Members of Parliament (MPs) in Sierra Leone engaged stakeholders on drugs at the Parliament Building Tower Committee Room 1.

The MPs were deeply concerned about the alarming increase in drug abuse among the youth in Sierra Leone. Hon Bashiru Silikie, Deputy Leader of Government Business, called on the stakeholders, including the SLP, SL Portharbor, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency Sierra Leone, NRA, Pharmacy Board, and the Ministry of Social Welfare, to work collaboratively towards finding a solution to the problem.

Hon Dickson Rogers emphasized the need to focus on identifying the root cause of drug trafficking in the country, rather than playing the blame game. He acknowledged that Sierra Leone is a transit point for drugs and that all stakeholders must work together to address the issue.

Andrew Jaiah Kai Kai, Executive Director of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency Sierra Leone, highlighted the Cabinet’s approval of a master plan to combat drugs in 2023. Mr Kai Kai collaborated with several ministers to launch the rehabilitation centre and joined forces with SLP and the Ministry of Health. He also stressed the importance of coming together to fight against harmful drugs like Kush, which is not a political fight.

Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare Mohamed Haji Kella expressed his concern about the harmful effects of Kush on the country’s youth and its impact on the country’s future leaders. He acknowledged that Sierra Leone does not have adequate facilities to rehabilitate the youth and called for urgent action to protect them from the drug’s harmful effects.

Yankuba Askia Bio, from the Sierra Leone Port Authority, acknowledged the challenges in catching drug cartels. He urged all stakeholders, including pharmacy boards, police, and NRA, to work together to stop the influx of harmful drugs in the country.

NRA commissioner Jeneba Kpaka confirmed that NRA has agents at every border crossing, but those who bring harmful drugs hide them. She called for a joint effort to eradicate drugs in the country, acknowledging that it is impossible to check all containers in the port.

Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police Fayai Sellu called for a united effort to fight against the harmful drug Kush, which is very dangerous. He acknowledged the challenges in capturing the criminals and the need for stricter laws to prevent them from getting bail easily.

The pharmacy board emphasized the need to report any operations related to the sale of drugs to their office. The Pharmacy Board has the right to test any drugs coming into the country.

In conclusion, all the stakeholders agreed that the sale of drugs in the country is a collective responsibility and that they must work together to address the issue.

By Abdul Rahman Bah