By Saidu Jalloh
In a proactive move towards sustainable oceanic resource management, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) hosted its inaugural Blue Economy Technical Committee Meeting on May 16th, 2024. The gathering symbolizes a pivotal step in the government’s commitment to advancing the Blue Economy Strategic Framework (BESF) and its corresponding National Action Plan (NAP).
Led by Development Secretary Peter Sam-Kpakra, the meeting underscored Sierra Leone’s holistic approach to oceanic and aquatic resource management. Sam-Kpakra emphasized the crucial role of the technical committee in offering strategic direction to the Blue Economy Secretariat at MoPED. Central to their mandate is the promotion of coherence and synergy in the execution of Blue Economy initiatives, thereby avoiding redundancies.
Representing the Honorable Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, Deputy Development Secretary Usman Cherry Conteh expressed gratitude to stakeholders from diverse sectors and recognized the instrumental support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in driving the Blue Economy initiative forward.
Joseph M. Samah, Assistant Director at MoPED, presented the BESF, delineating six thematic areas aimed at guiding policy actions and investments. These areas include promoting food security and economic diversification, strengthening marine transportation and ports, ensuring a healthy aquatic environment, advancing surveillance and security, exploring blue energy and mineral resources, and supporting blue governance, science, technology, and research. Samah emphasized the alignment of these themes with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024-2030) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the meeting, committee members from various sectors engaged in robust discussions, reviewing the Terms of Reference for the Technical Committee and adopting the Annual Work Plan for the Secretariat. These deliberations are poised to inform the Ministerial Steering Committee, ensuring efficient coordination and implementation of blue economy initiatives in Sierra Leone.
The inaugural Blue Economy Technical Committee Meeting sets a precedent for collaborative action towards harnessing Sierra Leone’s oceanic potential while ensuring sustainability and resilience in the face of global challenges.