By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
In a strategic move to enhance coordination across government institutions, Kenyeh Barlay, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MOPED), has launched a series of high-level visits to key ministries. The initiative is aimed at reinforcing collaboration for the effective implementation of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024–2030.
The visits, which began earlier this week, are part of a broader effort to align ministerial strategies with the overarching goals of the MTNDP. Minister Barlay highlighted flagship initiatives such as the development of a Tech City and the promotion of the Blue Economy as critical pillars for achieving sustainable economic growth.
“Cross-government collaboration is essential to drive results that will benefit our nation,” Barlay emphasized during a visit to the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation.
A key component of the minister’s agenda includes promoting innovative storytelling techniques to improve public engagement and awareness around government-led development programs. By leveraging technology and creative communication strategies, the government seeks to increase citizen participation and transparency in the national development process.
Barlay also extended her outreach to the Civil Society Coordination and Capacity Unit (CivSCCU), underscoring the value of strong partnerships between government and civil society organizations. This point was further reinforced during discussions with the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, who was also in attendance.
The collaboration is expected to foster a more unified and impactful approach to addressing national challenges such as poverty alleviation and economic diversification.
These strategic visits reflect the government’s commitment to a transparent, accountable, and inclusive development agenda. As Minister Barlay continues her engagement with ministries and stakeholders, there is growing optimism that this proactive leadership approach will accelerate Sierra Leone’s progress towards sustainable and equitable development.
In conclusion, Minister Barlay’s dedication to fostering collaboration across sectors signals a pivotal shift towards inclusive governance—setting a solid foundation for a development strategy that truly reflects the aspirations of the Sierra Leonean people.