The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) sensitised the people of Port Loko and Kambia Districts respectively on Sierra Leone’s new Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024–2030.
The Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams, underscored at the two events that development transcends politics, that government is determined to ensure that the people own the implementation of the plan as it is people-centred and that the MTNDP hinges on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to the Deputy Minister, Sierra Leone is making progress but appealed for collaboration between Local Councils and government and assured residents of the two Districts of government’s commitment to realizing their development priorities as outlined in Sierra Leone’s new MTNDP 2024–2030.
The Deputy Minister further expressed gratitude to the people of Port Loko and Kambia Districts for their continued support of President Bio’s vision for national development, reiterated government’s focus on the “Big Five Game Changers,” which underpin the MTNDP and outlined the priorities: Feed Salone, which aims at achieving food security; Human Capital Development, designed to ensure that the population is equipped with skills for the 21st century; a youth employment scheme targeting the creation of 500,000 jobs; increased investment in technology and infrastructure and transforming public service to enhance efficiency.
According to Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams, the Big Five Game Changers are not just policy directions; they represent the core of the country’s developmental vision for the next six years enlightening that each of these areas will drive Sierra Leone’s progress towards becoming a food-secure nation, with a capable workforce, increased employment opportunities, a thriving economy and a public sector that delivers efficiently for the citizens.
He further emphasized the significance of local ownership of the plan noting, “this is a plan for the people and by the people. We need every stakeholder, from local councils to civil society, to own and lead its implementation.”
In Port Loko District, the Chairman of the Council, Mr. Sheku Saccoh revealed that the District Development Coordination Committee is the most productive nationwide but appealed for capacity-building to do more and also disclosed plans to respond to the challenges facing women in the District highlighting that devolution is still a challenge.
He further revealed that the MTNDP is not a political tool and appealed to all stakeholders to embrace it for national development.
The Chairman of the Kambia District Council revealed that their biggest challenge is the non-availability of electricity in the District and disclosed that Kambia is the only District in the country with five ecologies to promote and ensure food security and animal husbandry but that they need support.
Other stakeholders lamented that some Ministries, Departments and Agencies operating in the District are not accountable and that women are marginalized in Local Council Committees.
The district-level popularization of the MTNDP was done within the two Districts Development Coordination Committees (DDCC) meeting during which the Deputy Minister of Planning emphasized that the administration of President Julius Maada Bio is unwavering in its efforts to accelerate development nationwide.
Stakeholders at both events underscored that no government can succeed without proper planning as they further appealed for peace and unity for development to thrive.
The events marked the fourth and fifth district-level Popularization and Decentralization of Ownership of the Plan following its inaugural launch by President Julius Maada Bio on July 10, 2024, in Moyamba District, under the theme “A Transformative Acceleration Agenda for Food Security, Human Capital Development and Job Creation.”
Stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, MDAs, civil society organizations, council representatives, Paramount Chiefs, nurses, religious leaders, the physically challenged, students, farmers and local leaders, gathered to discuss how Port Loko and Kambia Districts development goals fit within the broader national framework.
Stakeholders in the two Districts appealed to the people to take ownership of the Feed Salone initiative, highlighted government’s efforts to provide machinery, irrigation and infrastructure to boost local agricultural productivity especially in Kambia District as it is incumbent on them to complement government’s efforts and commended the MoPED for demonstrating transparency and accountability in bringing the development plan closer to the people.
The stakeholders continued that popularizing the MTNDP indicates government’s genuine commitment to inclusive development and urged all citizens to actively support the Big Five Game Changers, particularly the Feed Salone program.
