January 28, 2022
CARE Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy has on Thursday January 27, 2022 launched a SOLAR FOR BETEH BIZNES PROJECT at the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel.
The project is aimed to empower women through the use of renewable energy, and its key goal is to develop profitable and sustainable renewable energy-enabled businesses for women through financing, capacity building and enhanced market access. These businesses include agro-enterprises focusing on key value chains – rice, palm oil, cassava, cocoa/coffee, fish and other women-owned businesses.
The Country Director of CARE for Sierra Leone and Liberia Dr. Yaikah Jeign Joof in her opening remarks thanked her team, Energy Ministry and other partners for gracing such an important occasion. She expressed her delight at the project as it intends to empower women and capacitate them. “I am so delighted for this project as women entrepreneurs are the main targets. They will be empowered and capacitated through renewable energy to create jobs and reduce poverty in their communities,” she said.
Dr. Lamin Ibrahim Kamara, Project Director for CARE Sierra Leone said that the project will benefit 7120 women in 7 districts. He disclosed that the key reason for the development of the project is for the capacity of women to be developed.
“The project will be rolled out in two phases. In the first phase, five (5) districts – Bo, Moyamba, Kambia, Bombali and Koinadugu will benefit from the project. In the second phase, Bonthe and Pujehun will also benefit,” he disclosed.
In appreciating the work of CARE, the Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Mr. Hindowa Buakai Bindi expressed happiness for the project as according to him, anything that is set to improve women in this country gladdens his heart.
He continued by saying that the Government of President Bio created Pillar 5 in the Medium Term National Development Plan on empowering women, children and persons with disability and CARE has aligned the implementation of the project towards this goal.
“Our development partners align their implementation of programs and plans to the government’s blueprint. CARE is one of the traditional partners who continue to design and implement programs that are gender responsive and promoting the overall empowerment of women,” he averred.
Dr. Eldred Tunde Taylor, Deputy Minister of Energy who delivered the keynote address, thanked CARE for such a laudable venture and assured them of government’s continuous support. In his statement, he echoed the primary mandate of the Ministry of Energy which is to provide sustainable energy for citizens. He disclosed that, there is now 31% access to electricity from a mere 14% when this government took over in 2018.
Dr. Taylor added that the government of President Bio recognizes the importance of rural electrification as according to him many rural towns have been connected to solar mini grids. He appreciated CARE for working in line with with vision of President Bio in renewable energy.
“I urge that, CARE ensures that the intended beneficiaries of this project are met. Women can be productive if empowered and the Ministry is glad that this project focuses on women’s empowerment,” Dr. Taylor espoused.
The Deputy Minister took the singular honor to officially launch the project and wished CARE a successful implementation.
This Project is worth $2.5 million and the donor partner is Rockefeller Foundation with CARE as implementing partner.
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