In a timely move ahead of the 2026 national budget planning process, the Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), with support from Christian Aid Sierra Leone, convened a pre-budget engagement on Monday to map out the economic needs of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups.
The one-day forum brought together representatives from women’s rights organizations, civil society groups, community-based organizations, and the media to articulate their priorities for inclusion in the upcoming national budget.
The event is part of the “Promoting Accountable and Citizen Engagement (PACE)” project, implemented by BAN and the 50/50 Group. It aims to promote inclusive economic planning and fiscal justice.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Abu Bakarr Tarawally, Policy Analyst at BAN, emphasized the urgency of economic justice for historically excluded groups.
“Economic justice isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a development necessity,” Tarawally said. “For Sierra Leone’s economy to thrive, it must work for everyone, especially women, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.”
Citing global standards, including the International Labour Organization and the Center for Economic and Social Justice, Tarawally outlined key challenges to economic justice in Sierra Leone, including income inequality, limited access to quality education and healthcare, discrimination in the job market, and the disruptive effects of technological change.
He also pointed to recent policy reforms such as the Local Government Act of 2022, which mandates inclusive and participatory budgeting at the district level:
“The law empowers local councils to promote economic development and ensure women’s active participation in planning and budget decisions,” he noted.
Representing Christian Aid, Emmanuel Alieu reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to promoting tax justice and accountability, particularly for women and underserved communities:
“We support tax systems that work for the people, and that starts with amplifying the voices of women and the most vulnerable during national budget conversations,” he said.
The dialogue concluded with participants drafting key policy recommendations and budget priorities, which will be presented to the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies ahead of the national budget deliberations.