Freetown, 30th June, 2026 – The Government of Sierra Leone and the United States have signed a landmark five‑year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Health Cooperation, restructuring financing in the sector and committing tens of millions of dollars in public funds, with steadily increasing co‑investment required up to 2030.
Despite its sweeping implications for healthcare infrastructure and national finances, the full text, annexes, and financial schedules of the MOU remain undisclosed.
In response, the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) has filed a formal request under Section 2(1) of the Right to Access Information Act, 2013, seeking publication of the agreement.
ILRAJ argues that citizens have a legitimate right to know the precise terms, obligations, and financial commitments their government has undertaken. “Transparency and accountability are not optional in matters of public health and finance,” the organization noted, urging the Ministry of Health to respond within the statutory timeframe.
The disclosure of the MOU will be a critical test of Sierra Leone’s commitment to open governance and constitutional accountability in a sector that directly affects millions of lives.
