(Bo District Council Office, 19th-20th October, 2023) Bo District Council Chairman, Victor Korseh Hindowa has presented on behalf of the Southern Regional councils the District Development Coordination Committee (DDCC) Road Map to the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) after two days Peer Review and Experience Sharing on its implementation at the Bo District Council Hall in Bo District.
Following the re-establishment of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development in 2018, the Government of Sierra Leone renewed its determination to deepen the role of district development coordination in the implementation of the National Development Plan. And with the launch of the current Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2019-2023 and its presentation to the 22 Local Councils, the District Development Coordination Committees were revitalized.
The District Council Chairman who also chaired the two days engagement underscored the need for more collaboration in the implementation of DDCC. He said since he took over Bo District Council as Chairman, he has been particularly concerned with the coordination of development partners to the bi-monthly meetings. He expressed delight over the incorporation of DDCC into the 2022 Local Government Act which has given more powers to the councils to champion development.
While giving his key note address and subsequently launching the DDCC handbook, the Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams said the role of DDCC is to ensure the effective implementation of the MTNDP at district and community levels. He said the DDCC exist as a development coordination and local level planning platform, geared towards delivering quality services to the people. These coordination structures, he said are anchored in the 22 local councils providing overall strategic direction of development at district and community levels. Deputy Minister maintained that DDCC facilitate development, transparency, accountability and minimize fragmented development, service delivery overlaps and waste of scare resources.
With a view to sustaining the operations of the DDCCs, the Deputy Minister used the occasion to launch the Handbook that will serve as a blue print detailing the modus operandi of DDCC which will be used as a reference materials for development stakeholders at community and national levels.
The handbook, the Minister emphasized is particularly helpful to newly elected chairpersons/mayors and councillors.
Ishmail Kamara
Information Education and Communication Officer
Bo District Council
