Yesterday, 10th August, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay received in audience the Head of EU Delegation to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Manuel Müller in the esteem presence of the Director of National Authorising Office (NAO), Ambrose James together with the Development Secretary, Sam Kpakra and other senior colleagues in the Ministry.
In his opening statement, Amb. Müller congratulated Ms. Kenyeh Barlay on her appointment as the new Minister of Planning and Economic Development who she said has automatically becomes the National Authorising Officer of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). He further thanked the former Minister, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai and NAO Director Ambrose James for their efforts in successfully implementing EU funded projects in Sierra Leone.
Ms. Kenyeh Barlay and the Ambassador Müller held fruitful discussions on deepening the development cooperation between Sierra Leone and the European Union, strengthening dialogue platforms to move the two countries’ mutual interests and values forward. Ms. Barlay talked about linking the SDGs to the “Big Five” of the 2023 People’s Manifesto of the government, which are Feed Salone, Human Capital Development, Youth Empowerment Scheme, Revamping the Public Service Architecture and Technology and Infrastructure. She thanked the European Union through the Ambassador for the series of development projects funded by the EU ranging from infrastructure, education, health, governance and human capital.
Ambassador Müller said that EU’s commitment to Sierra Leone remains solid and the partnership is forward looking. Ms Kenyeh Barlay said government will continue consolidating the gains and accelerating the transformation agenda of the government which is set to move Sierra Leone forward.
A whole range of development issues were discussed to support the “Big Five” People’s Manifesto of the government for the next five years.
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