The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has organized a one-day stakeholders sensitization workshop in the financial sector, on the Self -Group Help Affinity Group (SAG) concept at the Kingtom Bank Complex in Freetown.
The National Coordinator for the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organization (SLANGO) Shilla Davis who chaired the ceremony, said financial inclusion is a challenge in Sierra Leone despite the entry of new banks and unveiling of new products due to lack of access to banks in most deprived communities, where poverty is rife.
She called on the financial sector especially the commercial banks to ensure the inclusion of Self – Help Affinity Group (SAG) in their business, so as to empower them to improve the livelihood of the poor.
Desk Officer of the Islamic Development Bank at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Sam Kpakra, said majority of the people in the country are living in abject poverty and lack empowerment initiatives to improve their livelihood.
He said the new self – Help Affinity Group (SAG) concept pioneered by NaCSA is among the best initiatives that will transform the livelihood of the people.
He said the Islamic Development Bank has spent over a billion dollar towards the socio-economic development of the country.
A Senior Director, in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said poor people lack the access to credits and the SAG concept is a step in the right direction in the promotion of public private partnership for the alleviation of poverty in rural communities, where access to capital, is a challenge to many poor families, especially women.
Several statements on the significance of Self -Group Help Affinity Group (SAG) concept to Sierra Leone by representatives of the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs and the Bank of Sierra Leone were made.
Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy Commissioner of NaCSA Charles Rogers said the Self -Group Help Affinity Group (SAG) concept is a pilot project of the Sierra Leone Community Development Programme (SLCDD) to complement their success in past poverty alleviation approaches.
He said since the concept was introduced into the country 180 self -Group Help Affinity Groups (SAG) has been formed across the country except for Kailahun and Koinadugu Districts where other poverty alleviation projects are being implemented.
A team leader from the Islamic Development Bank on a monitoring visit to Sierra Leone also made meaningful contributions towards the successful implementation of the Self -Group Help Affinity Group (SAG) concept in Sierra Leone.
The Executive Director of an Indian- Based organization contracted by NaCSA to roll out the Self -Group Help Affinity Group (SAG) co, in his Power-Point presentation, highlighted progress and challenges in the alleviation of poverty around the world.
Stakeholders of the Self -Group Help Affinity Group (SAG) concept sensitization went further into group discussions and made recommendations for the successful implementation of the concept.
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