By James Samba
Dr. Francis Kai-Kai, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, addressed participants on the 27 January 2020at the official opening workshop on the roll-out of the UNDP Sierra Leone Country Program Document (CPD 2020-2023), organized by the UNDP at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel in Freetown.
The aim of the roll-out exercise is to re-calibrate efforts and better position the UNDP and its partners to successfully launch and implement the Country Program Document (2020-2023). The exercise will also ensure a common understanding and a clear implementation road-map as well as the skills and tools for designing programs and projects to achieve the CPD results in Sierra Leone over the 4-year period.
In his opening remarks, Samuel Doe, UNDP Resident Representative said the workshop will seek to change the narrative of governance. He said the President Bio-Led government continued to demonstrate the political will in shifting the narrative of governance, especially with the fight against corruption, the effective systems being developed, discipline in governance and with the declaration that at the end of 2023, Sierra Leone will not longer want to be called a fragile state.
Sunil Saigal, UN Resident Coordinator congratulated UNDP on the launch of the new 4-year country program; stating that it will support the Government and people of Sierra Leone in eradicating poverty and build resilient systems and communities. He said in order to ensure that the 2030 Goals are achieved in a truly sustainable manner, the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP 2019-2023), awareness and ownership of the SDGs must be widespread across Sierra Leone and must be brought to local levels.
In his address, the Minister, in welcoming participants, noted that in the next few days they will be looking at the UNDP Country Program Document with the aim of approving the roll-out plan. Dr. Kai-Kai said the plan will guide the implementation of the CPD and by extension the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
Minister Kai-Kai, who reiterated President Julius Maada Bio’s official declaration of the year 2020 as a year of delivery of the National Development Plan, stated that the timing of the workshop was therefore in sync with Government’s prioritizing effective delivery of programs and projects.
“We are committed to the successful implementation of the programs and projects identified in the Country Development Document. What is key for us as Government is delivery, delivery and delivery”, Dr. Kai-Kai said.
He noted with satisfaction the content of the UNDP Country Development Program Document, as aligned to various clusters of the MTNDP (2019-2023). Dr. Kai-Kai said the alignment demonstrates that the UNDP has been working closely with his Ministry as well as sector Ministries that lead the implementation of Government priority programs in these sectors and thematic areas.
He urged them to be diligent in the deliberations and that he was looking forward to the roll-out plan.
