The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Sierra Leone recently welcomed their newly appointed Resident Representative - Dr. Pa Lamin Beyai. On February 4, 2021, he presented his credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation headed by Honourable Nabila Tunis.

Dr. Pa Lamin received a warm welcome from the Minister and her team. She said that the ministry and Sierra Leone at large would be at UNDP’s disposal as they work together for sustainable development in the country. She mentioned that Sierra Leone has over a long time enjoyed amicable working relationships with UNDP and the UN family at large. She recalled several instances demonstrating this relationship the most recent being UNDP’s support to her then office – Ministry of Planning and Economic Development to develop and print the current Medium-Term National Development Plan 2019 – 2023 (MT-NDP 2019-2023) towards which UNDP provided both technical and financial support.

On his part, the new UNDP head of office appreciated the support and cooperation from the Government and people of Sierra Leone saying that, “It is an honour and privilege to represent UNDP in this beautiful country. In partnership with the Government, International & National Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and other development stakeholders in Sierra Leone, UNDP programmes will support the people of this country in their quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially to eradicate poverty and build resilience to climate change shocks and disasters, without leaving anyone behind. Consequently, our programmatic offer as per our Country Programme Document (2020-2023) is fully aligned with the Medium-Term National Development Plan.”

Prior to this appointment, Pa Lamin was UNDP Resident Representative (2019-2020) and Country Director for Liberia (2017-2019). Pa Lamin was also Country Director for Nigeria (2013-2016); and Economic Advisor & Team Leader, Inclusive Growth Cluster with the UNDP Office in Ghana (2009-2013). Pa Lamin served as Financial Sustainability Officer with the World Health Organization (WHO) Inter-Country Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa in Zimbabwe (2006-2009); and Health Economist with the WHO Office in The Gambia (1999-2006).

Before joining the United Nations, Pa Lamin held various positions of increasing responsibility at The Gambia Public Transport Corporation (GPTC) from 1994-1999, including as Senior Manager Administration & Human Resources (1997-1999), Manager, Corporate Management Services (1995 -1997), and Corporate Management Services Officer (1994-1995).

Pa Lamin holds a Ph.D in Economics with a focus on Health Economics from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, as well as a Master of Science in Finance (Economic Policy) from the  School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), both from the University of London, UK; a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics from the University of Curtin, Perth, Western Australia; and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Economics from Fourah Bay College from the University of Sierra Leone.

Pa Lamin took up his new assignment on 11 January 2021. His remarks at the presentation of credentials ceremony can be accessed here.