The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has concluded a high-level Board Retreat aimed at strengthening road safety management and institutional effectiveness across the country.
Held at Occasions Resort in Lakka under the theme “Year of Action: The Role of the Board in Achieving Strategic Outcomes,” the retreat brought together key stakeholders who reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration, innovation, and data-driven decision-making.
Delivering the opening address, Board Chairman AIG (Rtd) Thomas Mustapha Lahai emphasized the need for a clear understanding of the Board’s roles and responsibilities in achieving strategic goals. He called for shared values and collective action, particularly in advancing the domestication of the African Road Safety Charter.
Reflecting on past challenges, Lahai noted that tensions between the Board and Management should now be regarded as a thing of the past. He urged both sides to embrace a renewed spirit of cooperation, while encouraging Board Members to act as vigilant watchdogs to safeguard the Authority’s progress. He also commended the SLRSA for its ongoing efforts in improving road safety nationwide.
In his remarks, Executive Director James Bagie Bio described 2025 as a “Year of Strengthening Road Safety,” highlighting key achievements recorded under his leadership. He underscored the need to sustain and build on these gains to improve safety outcomes across the country.
Keynote Speaker Prince E.O. Cole, Head of Civil Service and Secretary to Cabinet, stressed the importance of synergy between the Board and Management. He urged Board Members to support Management in executing its mandate, noting that oversight should be seen as a vital component of governance rather than interference.
Cole further commended the Authority’s work and called for stronger emphasis on accurate data collection and analysis to inform planning and decision-making. He also highlighted the need for enhanced stakeholder collaboration, adoption of modern technology, and a firm commitment to translating strategic plans into measurable results. Sustainable urban mobility and road safety, he added, remain critical to Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development.
Also addressing the retreat, Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fanday Turay, reiterated the importance of building a robust culture of data collection within the Authority. He called for decisive measures to remove unroadworthy vehicles from the roads as part of broader efforts to improve public safety.
The retreat concluded with a shared resolve among participants to strengthen accountability, deepen collaboration, and accelerate reforms aimed at advancing road safety and achieving the Authority’s strategic objectives.
