A delegation form the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a mission to Sierra Leone visited the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF) Secretariat as part of its efforts to meet with stakeholders to understand and assess the country’s climate finance policies.
Christine Richmond, who leads the mission to Sierra Leone noted that the visit will afford them the opportunity “to discuss the importance of climate finance and its potential impact in supporting other sectors that are critical for Sierra Leone’s development.”
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of Chairman Kandeh Yumkella, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, Director of Climate Smart Agriculture presented a brief overview of PI-CREF’s work including support to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure policy coherence, and mobilizing strategic partnerships among others. He maintained that whatever reforms IMF are seeking to recommend, they must lead to transformative programs or outcomes that will develop the country and in support of President Bio’s Big Five Agenda.
Dr. Kormawa also highlighted the effects of climate change in Sierra Leone and called on the delegation to ensure that their reforms and policies have a positive impact on local communities. He noted PI-CREF’s effort together with the Ministry of Finance to set up a Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub.
Dr. Juliana Vangahun, Rice Specialist at PI-CREF also called on the IMF team to include women in climate change related discussions and policies as they are central to its effects. The visit ended with both PI-CREF and IMF stressing the need to collaborate to make a difference in people’s lives.
