Over 1,200 women and youth took to the streets of Makeni on a vibrant Saturday morning for a Health Walk aimed at promoting wellness and raising awareness about pressing health and social issues.

The event, themed “Health is Wealth,” was spearheaded by Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr in collaboration with the Inter-Group Bombali Network a coalition of more than ten women’s organizations and female councillors from the Makeni City and Bombali District Councils.

Participants, including students from the University of Makeni (UniMak), walked, jogged, and danced from the NP fuel station to Wusum Field, rallying around messages that emphasized the importance of healthy living and community-driven action.

Central to the day’s advocacy were calls to encourage regular physical activity and to reduce the consumption of salt, bouillon cubes, and sugar—factors contributing to hypertension and diabetes, which are on the rise across the country. The walk also addressed the growing concern over substance abuse, with particular focus on the deadly synthetic drug “kush.”

“Kush is a major killer of our youth,” Mayor Aki-Sawyerr stated. “Successive speakers echoed the urgent need for the government to take decisive action to halt the supply of kush and other illegal drugs that continue to circulate freely in our communities.”

The event served not only as a health promotion exercise but also as a powerful demonstration of women’s leadership and grassroots collaboration for national development.

“Development of our nation requires a healthy population,” the Mayor emphasized. “Yesterday’s walk showcased the strength of women working together in pursuit of a better Sierra Leone.”

The initiative received wide praise for its inclusivity and focus, with calls for more such community-led efforts across the country to drive health consciousness and safeguard the nation’s future.