By Yusuf Ibrahim Kamara
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) conducted a one-day consultation for youths and children in the Bombali District Council Makeni on 11th January 2024.
The consultation was a call for the youths and children so that they too will have a say in the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024-2030 for delivering sustainable economic growth through food security, human capital and infrastructure development, job creation and innovation.
Speaking during the consultation, Dr Robert Moikowa, in change of Service Delivery and Performance Management, talked on the importance of the consultation, noting that it is important for the views of youths and children to be included in the medium term before rolling it out. He added that the 2019-2023 Medium Term Development Plan expired in December last year, in that note he highlighted some of the success they have achieved, citing that Sierra Leone is now representing Africans in the United National Security Council. He noted that this Medium-Term Development Plan has a link with the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals.
Mark Sara Koroma, Chairman of Bombali District Youth Council, said that the consultation is important and timely for the country and also for the government, especially when young people are included. He added that young people are very much crucial for the development of the country, and that by considering young people in designing such a national development agenda shows how the government is concerned about young people.
In an interview with Lansana Fasalic Jaward, District coordinator for Children Forum Network Falaba District, said they applaud the efforts of government for such consultation.
“This is part of the Big Five Game Changer of President Bio. I hope this will be implemented successfully because one of the priorities of the government is the Feed Salone project. If we all embark on agriculture, then it will bring positive change nationwide,” he said.
Speaking to this medium, Mariama B Jalloh, chairperson of Sierra Leone Union for Disability Issues Koinadugu District, thanked the government and the Ministry for such an opportunity for organizing what he called a ‘positive consultation’ with the help of UNICEF. She emphasized that it is good to have the voice of the disability community in the national development plan.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, January 15th, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)