Freetown, 5 June 2025 (SLENA) — As part of efforts to deepen sustainable development ties and bilateral cooperation, the Ambassador of the State of Israel to Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, His Excellency Roey Gilad, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Honourable Kenyeh Barlay, at her office in the NAO Building, Tower Hill, Freetown.
During the meeting, Honourable Minister Barlay outlined Sierra Leone’s National Medium-Term Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024–2030, noting that it aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She emphasized that the Plan outlines a strategic seven-year development roadmap designed to accelerate socio-economic transformation and national resilience.
The Minister elaborated on the alignment between the MTNDP and President Bio’s Big Five Game Changers, which include:
Feed Salone – a national food security and nutrition agenda
Human Capital Development – with continued investment in education and health
Youth Employment Scheme – aimed at creating 500,000 jobs through public-private partnerships
Infrastructure, Technology, and Innovation – to boost connectivity and productivity
Transformation of the Public Service Architecture – to enhance governance, economic diversification, climate resilience, and gender mainstreaming
Ambassador Roey Gilad, in his remarks, commended the longstanding bilateral relations between Israel and Sierra Leone spanning over five decades. He cited successful cooperation initiatives, including training programs and scholarships that have benefitted over 500 Sierra Leoneans in various sectors in Israel.
He highlighted potential areas for further collaboration, particularly in agriculture, fisheries, and human capital development through structured training programs. The Ambassador also encouraged the Ministry to streamline coordination with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure impactful results, stressing the importance of setting clear priorities within the broader development agenda.
Despite the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Palestine, Ambassador Gilad reaffirmed his government’s continued commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in education, agriculture, and sustainable development.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing mutual interest in deepening technical and development cooperation between their countries.
John Farfira Kamara
Email: johnfarfirakamara@gmail.com
