Sierra Leone

The CPAP is a three-year framework elaborating the three principal areas where UNDP will focus its assistance. Firstly, it will support efforts at consolidating democratic institutions and respect for human rights by providing support to the key branches of the state and human rights institutions. Secondly, it will contribute to efforts to improve sustainable growth of the economy to benefit the poor, through the provision of an enabling environment for the private sector, to act as engine of growth and promotion of self-employment. And finally, the programme of assistance will continue to support economic recovery efforts and peace consolidation at the local councils and community levels.

Representing the Government at the signing ceremony was the Deputy Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Richard Konteh. Also present was the Agriculture Development Secretary, John Sumailah, the UNDP Country Director, Bernard Mokam, UN officials, civil society representatives and members of the media.

Presenting the document, the UNDP Country Director stressed the need for Government to lead the development process; ‘national ownership of the CPAP is paramount. We count on Government to advise UNDP of its priorities and how the programmes we have formulated can be implemented on the ground.’

The amount required to implement the Country Programme Action Plan is approximately US$80 million, part of which has already been utilized from donors, including the DFID, Irish Aid, the Governments of Japan, Norway and Sweden, and the European Union. Mr. Mokam expressed his gratitude to the development partners, saying, ‘my renewed thanks to our partners for entrusting UNDP to meet the development challenges of Sierra Leone. We wish to continue this relationship of trust so that UNDP can become the choice development partner of the country.’

Also speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Richard Konteh, registered his gratitude to UNDP for their tireless efforts to ensure that the country meets the development challenges it faces. He welcomed the acknowledgment by UNDP of the three tiers of Government and the UN agency’s pledge of support to them. ‘When these arms of Government are strengthened Sierra Leone will be set for sustainable growth and development,’ he said.