By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) has kicked off the First Quarter Ministerial Development Partnership Committee (DEPAC) Meeting at the Foreign Services Academy Conference Hall, Tower Hill.
The meeting, under the theme “Status of the Implementation of the MTNDP 2024-2030 and Donor Coordination,” aimed to evaluate progress on the country’s national development priorities.
Bringing together government officials and development partners, the event saw key figures such as Madam Seraphine Wakana, the United Nations Resident Coordinator; Abdu Muwonge, World Bank Country Manager; and representatives from the German Embassy, who co-chaired discussions on economic improvements, the operationalisation of Sector Working Groups (SWGs), and updates on the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024-2030.
MoPED provided progress updates on the “Big Five” priorities, along with contributions from development partners. The meeting underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening donor coordination, implementing proactive policies, and enhancing private sector involvement to achieve the Big Five Game Changers and foster sustainable growth.
In her opening address, Minister Kenyeh Barlay highlighted that the DEPAC meeting was an essential platform to evaluate the MTNDP 2024-2030’s progress and meet both citizens’ and development partners’ expectations through an annual assessment. She noted that the meeting provided an opportunity for SWGs to refine coordination strategies, policy frameworks, and resource mobilisation efforts to align governance initiatives with innovative financing and economic transformation goals.
Madam Seraphine Wakana commended MoPED for its efforts in keeping development partners updated and for launching the first DEPAC meeting of 2025, as promised. She emphasised the theme’s significance, particularly for the United Nations, and stressed the importance of sector working groups and technical teams in ensuring efficient implementation. Wakana also called for enhanced coordination to boost operational effectiveness.
World Bank representative Abdu Muwonge recognised MoPED’s coordination in key sectors such as agriculture, health, and education, but emphasised the need for stronger contractor monitoring and proactive teamwork. He also commended the recent collaboration between the Ministries of Environment, Local Government, and Agriculture in delivering a unified service delivery plan.
German Ambassador Jens Kraus-Masse reiterated the value of multilateral and bilateral cooperation, stressing that timely DEPAC meetings were crucial for fostering effective coordination. He highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, and teamwork in achieving development goals, and emphasised the need for private sector involvement to drive revenue generation and support public expenditure.
The meeting featured several key presentations, including: Follow-up on the Recommendations of the December 2024 Ministerial DEPAC Meeting by Madam Abie Elizabeth Kamara; Impact of Economic Indicator Improvements on the Population by Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura; Status of the Implementation of the MTNDP 2024-2030; Progress Updates on the Big Five, Annual Progress Report; Synopsis of Development Partners’ Support to MTNDP Implementation by MoPED Representative
Following these presentations, extensive discussions took place among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, civil society, and experts from the U.S. Embassy, German Embassy, Chamber of Commerce, and other stakeholders. The discussions centred on strengthening private sector involvement, improving coordination and monitoring, enhancing local revenue mobilisation, and reinforcing policy frameworks, accountability, and transparency to align with global development standards.
In her concluding remarks, Minister Barlay thanked all participants for their dedication to effective monitoring, coordination, policy development, and management in implementing the MTNDP 2024-2030, underscoring its crucial role in Sierra Leone’s economic transformation.
