Freetown, 15 April 2025 (SLENA) – The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) has hosted a high-level delegation from the National Defence College of Tanzania (NDC-Tanzania) as part of efforts to promote investment in Sierra Leone’s mining sector through sustainable education and skills development.
The meeting, themed ” Investing in the Mining Sector for Sustainable Development, ” was held at the MTHE Conference Room, Sababu Building in New England Ville. It brought together senior officials from both countries, reinforcing the link between human capital development, national security, and sustainable resource management.
Welcoming the delegation, MTHE’s Permanent Secretary, Mohamed Sheick Kargbo, expressed appreciation for the visit, which falls under Tanzania’s International Strategic Neighbourhood Programme, which aims to foster bilateral cooperation.
Brigadier General Charles James Ndiege, who led the Tanzanian delegation, explained that the NDC-Tanzania is a premier inter-service institution providing strategic security and leadership training to the defence and civil sectors. He noted that national security concerns have evolved beyond the military, encompassing education, development, and civil engagement.
“The provision of education at all levels has a direct bearing on national security,” Brig. Gen. Ndiege stated, emphasising the importance of investing in education to reduce illiteracy and secure national development.
Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer, Dr. Josephus Brimah, described the ministry as a relatively new establishment created in 2018 to prioritise technical and vocational education. He cited Sierra Leone’s legacy in higher education through Fourah Bay College and the need to transition from purely academic learning to practical, skills-based training.
“Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources, yet the technical skills required to transform these resources remain limited,” Dr. Brimah noted. “We must train the minds before we reach the mines.”
He highlighted that sustainable development in the mining sector demands substantial human capital, criticising the current global dynamic where raw materials are exported and finished goods reimported at a cost locals cannot afford. “Africa is rich, but our people remain poor,” he said.
Director of Higher Education, Emmanuel J. Momoh Esq., said the 2021 Universities Act expanded access to tertiary education, establishing institutions such as the Milton Margai Technical University, Eastern Technical University, and Kono University of Science and Technology.
“These new universities reflect a shift from traditional academic models to technical and vocational training that meets the needs of local economies,” Momoh said, adding that Kono University’s location in a mining region makes it pivotal in mining-related education.
Director of TVET, Abdul Senesie, emphasised the importance of developing the middle-level workforce to meet national development aspirations. He said policies must be institutionalised through education and structured systems that future generations can inherit.
“We need a coordinated approach to link mining with skills development. The sector’s transformation depends on policy, infrastructure, and enforcement,” Senesie said.
Director of Science Education, Famata Kaiwa, underscored the role of research in supporting the mining sector. Recounting her recent visit to Tanzania’s Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), she said mining education must be rooted in research to guide exploration, environmental protection, and community rehabilitation.
“Research helps determine what minerals are available, how they should be mined, and how to mitigate the impact on local communities,” she stressed.
Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Christiana Samu, added that mining companies have been instrumental in providing scholarships to local students under corporate social responsibility (CSR) frameworks. She said MTHE is leveraging such partnerships to ensure mining contributes meaningfully to education and community development.
The visit by the NDC-Tanzania delegation signifies growing regional collaboration in education and sustainable development, with Sierra Leone positioning its human capital agenda as a key driver for national progress.
