By Sallieu S. Kanu
Makeni City came alive on 21 July 2025 as over 1,200 women and youth participated in a spirited Health Walk spearheaded by Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, in collaboration with the Inter-Group Bombali Network and female councillors of Makeni City and Bombali District Councils.
The event, themed “Health is Wealth,” featured walking, jogging, and dancing from the NP Fuel Station to Wusum Field. Participants included students from the University of Makeni (UniMak), local leaders, and public officials. Notable attendees were Makeni Mayor Abubakar Kamara, Bombali District Chairman Dr Mohamed Sisay, Koinadugu District Chairman Lawrence Teteh Kargbo, and senior APC figures including Hon Martin Bangura and Hon Ambassador Alimamy Kamara.
The walk culminated in an informative health session chaired by Dr Patricia Jitta Abdulai of UniMak. Speakers emphasized the need for routine exercise and healthy dietary practices—calling for reduced salt, sugar, and bouillon cube consumption to combat hypertension and diabetes. The session also raised alarm over the circulation of harmful drugs like “kush” and urged stronger government action.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr lauded the collaborative efforts of Bombali’s women’s groups and civic leaders, highlighting that national development hinges on a healthy population. She extended thanks to Cynthia Conteh, CEO of Inter-Group Bombali Network, and Cllr Suard Koroma for their pivotal roles in organizing the event.
The Health Walk not only reinforced public health awareness but also celebrated grassroots leadership and female empowerment across Sierra Leone.