By: Mohamed Sahr mohamedsahrpro@gmail.com
The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone Fatima Bio has on Tuesday urges the European market to appreciate Sierra Leone’s local contents during the opening ceremony of 2023 Opportunity Salone Knowledge Share Event organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its partners at the New Brookfield’s Hotel in Freetown.
Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio said the significance of the gathering emphasizing the importance of discussing and sharing insights on the crucial topic of promoting local content initiatives for job opportunities in Sierra Leone, including road infrastructures, inclusion of more women in agro-based industry.
She recognized the paramount importance of harnessing our local talents and resources to foster sustainable development.
She urged that the discussions facilitated by the International Labour Organization, must collectively strive to create an environment where our local entrepreneurs can actively participate and contribute to the growth of our country’s economy.
The First Lady maintains that the promotion of local content initiatives holds the key to unlocking a plethora of job opportunities which is in consonant with His Excellency “Big Five Game Changer” to attained food self-sufficiency.
“In prioritizing our own resources and capacities, we do not only stimulate economic growth but also empower our citizens with meaningful employment,” Madam First Lady said.
She continued that this would lead to a more equitable distribution of wealth and a stronger sense of societal well-being.
“Together, we can pave the way for a future where the potential of our local talents is fully realized, and job opportunities abound for the benefit of all”, she mentioned.
She elaborated on the promotion of local content initiatives as a key to unlocking numerous job opportunities, adding that by prioritizing the nation’s own resources and capacities, not only does it stimulate economic growth, but it also empowers citizens with meaningful employment. She therefore urged the European market to appreciate our country’s local produces, emphasizing the quality and uniqueness they bring to the international stage.
She reflected a desire for increased recognition of Sierra Leone’s offerings and an opportunity for mutually beneficial partnerships and encouraging appreciation to Dr. Bio seeks to strengthen ties between Sierra Leone and the European market, fostering a greater understanding of the value our local products bring to the global marketplace.
Encouraging active engagement in the knowledge-sharing sessions, Dr. Bio expressed confidence that the insights gained would contribute to the formulation of effective strategies for promoting local content.
She called to explore innovative ways to integrate the local workforce into various sectors aimed at ensuring that Sierra Leoneans are at the forefront of the nation’s progress.
In the wake of the recent failed attempted coup attack; She used the opportunity to urge Sierra Leoneans to prioritize peace above all.
“Let us not allow politicians to manipulate us into derailing the peace of our country. Our strength lies in unity, and together we can overcome challenges.” Reminding all present that that let this incident be a reminder of the importance of national harmony as she registered her commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Sierra Leone.”
She called for the event to serve as a catalyst for change, a platform where ideas flourish, and partnerships are forged. Dr. Bio envisioned a future where the potential of local talents is fully realized, and job opportunities abound for the benefit of all. The expression of gratitude to the audience for their dedication to the cause and the anticipation of witnessing the positive impact of collective efforts on the prosperity of Sierra Leone conveyed a sense of optimism and shared responsibility.
In his welcome address at the commencement of the “2023 Opportunity Salone Knowledge Share Event” Director General of Local Content Agency Fodeba Daboh expressed gratitude and honor for the presence of the attendees and emphasizes on the significance of the gathering in fostering knowledge exchange.
He commended ILO dedication to advancing knowledge and collaboration through the Opportunity Salone share project and acknowledged the reflection and the recognition of the ILO and its implementing partners effort in contributing to the growth, development and empowerment of local Small and Medium Entrepreneurship across the country.
Daboh went on to say that the local content Agency is currently piloting a project within four Districts, Bo, Makeni, Kenema and Port Loko in a bid to create jobs and reduce the importation of food items, citing that the African international continental free-trade, would provide the opportunity for economic empowerment for local entrepreneurs, referencing the Big Five agenda of His Excellency the President Julius Maada Bio.
The director signaling a collaborative approach to identifying and leveraging prospects for progress.
He underscored the importance of unity in pursuing common goals.
The emphasis on exploring opportunities implies an open-minded and proactive stance towards potential avenues for growth.
Global Cordinator, Value Chains and Entrepreneurship, Merten Sievers, highlights the needs for a knowledge sharing platform and expressed the overarching objective of the project to the well-being of Sierra Leone.
She noted that with support from the UN, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is targeting young entrepreneurs who are not gainful employed in the formal sector, adding that this platform will enhance the exhibitions of untapped talents among our young people who are now championing the “Feed Salone” initiatives which is integral component of the President Bio’s “Big Five” Agenda.
She noted that UN family stands ready to continue promoting livelihoods and empowerment to young people and therefore noted that that the UN Women extend their congratulations to the HE Dr. Fatima Bio for her global strives in women and girls empowerment, and therefore wishes all the participants a very fruitful deliberations for a better, peaceful and productive Sierra Leone.
European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Manuel Muller told the gathering that the “Opportunity Salone Project” is part of EU jobs and growth programs in Sierra Leone and it’s one of EU flagship initiatives in the country.
According to Muller, the jobs and growth Programs aims at addressing the investment in education, employment nexus through measure to improving the investment climate, upgrading human capital and create jobs for predominantly low qualified work force.
He added that ILO had took the project to Bo, Bombalie, Kenema and Port Loko districts over a four years period, adding that ‘Opportunity Salone’ specifically supports feeder roads maintenance and youth entrepreneurship for agricultural value chain development.
Ambassador Muller said Agriculture is a key sector for Sierra Leone’s economy, and it contributes to more than 50% of GDP.
He emphasized that agricultural transformation is a priority in Sierra Leone’s policy agenda to meet the challenges pf food and nutrition insecurity, climate change, youth unemployment and overall economic growth.
Muller told the gathering that EU is committed to support Sierra Leone in the implementation of the big five including the feed salone and job creation.