SLENA, GOAL’s CEO Madam Siobhan Walsh, Collin Hunt -CEO AIB, Bary Field Director Corporate Affairs and Delegation met with Kenyeh Barlay, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, to pay a courtesy visit to H. E. the President.
The visit is to track a holistic approach to strengthen commitment and reaffirm support for GOAL’s work in complementing the effort of the Government of Sierra Leone through the implementation of the Medium Term National Development Plan- the Big Five Game Changers. This was discussed during the meeting with Minister Barlay during the courtesy visit by Goal.
The meeting attracted a historic effort, which GOAL Sierra Leone has done for the past years since 1999. They are committed to WASH activities, empowering communities to develop resilience and greater control over lives and livelihoods.
Madam Siobhan Walsh highlighted the vast potential of Sierra Leone’s Blue Economy if embraced by concerted effort in capacity building and coordinating mechanisms to strengthen policies. She also appreciates the admirable role of women, especially Minister Barlay, in participating in decision-making, political, socio-economic, and climate change management in the global space. She further commended First Lady Fatima Bio’s relentless effort to bring together five first ladies in Africa to Sierra Leone, showcasing women’s active role in building global governance, peace, and development.
James Riak Mathiang, Country Director of GOAL Sierra Leone, appreciated MoPED for always opening its doors and collaborating with it. He also praised women’s focus on supporting their Programmes in the various communities they have visited.
Minister Kenyeh Barlay, in her statement, appreciated GOAL Sierra Leone for their continuing support of Sierra Leone. The Minister noted that the effort of GOAL Sierra Leone is part of the government development agenda reflecting on the medium-term National Development Plan 2024-2030, which captures Human capital development and Blue Economy as strategic pillars to complement the MTNDP 2024-2030. Minister Barlay further emphasis on the Mapping tools for NGOS and the continuing effort to reviving the sectorial working groups that would guide the implementation of MTNDP – big five game Changers in the first year, and with view to track in the progresses and further strengthening Framework, and indicators to compliments development Programs.
The Minister also reflected on the roundtable Talks on the Blue Economy Strategic Roadmap last year, which was graced by MDAs, civil society and development partners at the Foreign Services Academy. She expressed her gratitude to the Irish and Iceland governments for their willing aspirations to support the Blue Economy plan, Aligning the MTNDP 2024-2030 and pledges her collaborating stands with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource together with development partners to sustain the Blue Economy agenda for the development of Sierra Leone as a way to compliment MTNDP.
Credit: John Farfira Kamara
