ema disrupted the agriculture value chain (ploughing, planting and harvesting) that take place throughout the year. For instance most farmers in the Eastern region use youth self-help cooperative hired for ploughing. Chiefdom bye laws to contain the EVD did not allow such activities. This has led to a potential of a major food shortage in the latter months of 2015. It is also noticeable that during the period under reporting, the mining sector is critical to the Sierra Leonean economy and the Agenda for Prosperity (AFP) growth forecasts and fiscal position are predicated on the rebound of the mining sector. In June 2014, following the closure of operations and departure of some staff members of foreign mining companies like London Mining Company and African Mineral, the economy was adversely affected. By 2016, most of the mining companies (Octea limited, AML, Sierra Rutile, LMC and Cluff Gold Sierra Leone) have either closed operations or are operating at limited capacity. Travel restrictions to the epicenter and their business continuity plans are on standby. Non-essential staff was granted leave. The shocks from the EVD and plummeting international prices of iron ore have substantially affected the mining sector’s growth prospects in 2015 and even beyond. Prior to the EVD the fiscal position had strengthened on account of high growth. However, the fiscal position remained fragile due to the low tax base, reduced collection in royalties from mining companies due to declining international iron ore prices, and underlying expenditure pressures for higher salaries (especially chiefdoms and functionaries), and increased infrastructure investment. In July 2014, Parliament approved a supplementary appropriation bill to make provision for government services, including the fight against EVD. The Government’s Presidential Delivery Priorities: Priority areas for Sierra Leone’s Recovery and Transition Plan Table 1: Presidential Delivery Priorities (10-24 months) – Sierra Leone Sector Health Education Social Protection Private sector Delivery assurance Delivery Priorities Key Results Area Ensure that 40 hospitals and 1,300 primary health care facilities are safe and have capacity to provide essential health care • • • Children and mothers receive free essential healthcare TB, HIV and Malaria patients will return to long term treatment 3,500 Ebola survivors receive free care and support Bring all kids back to school, maintaining safe and actively learning • • Enroll all students back to school Accelerate learning Support vulnerable groups and establish sustainable social welfare • Draw 100,000+ subsistence farmers/unemployed into the formal economy • Deliver income/support to 150,000 households and 36,500 EVD-affected Increase capacity of government MIS to drive anti-poverty initiatives Build capacity in districts to provide long term social welfare support Build delivery and accountability architecture, systems and capacity • • • • Monitor programs, resolve issues and ruthlessly communicate results Create governance and drive financial oversight and mutual accountability Drive productivity, transparency and accountability through reform